In the Heat of the Moment

we used to catch grasshoppers on sun kissed Saturday mornings

between that and sliding down the hill on torn up cardboard our day was filled to the brim

laughing and carrying on in the void of time

taking trails and pathways in the forest to places we stored secrets and where monsters dwelled

sometimes, we’d blow kisses at dandelions sending them on journeys to who knows where

while shielding the sun from our brows to see where we should go off to next

my calculator watch blinks half past three, one hour til supper, still time to explore

the fish plant whistle sounds, and we look across the harbour just like the last time we heard it

this time a big boat captures our attention wondering what adventures they’ve had, how high were their seas and were there pirates

a seagull soars high squawking its return, coming back to us for a visit, it was never the same one….but we didn’t care

those days were hot, the ocean was cold, our little boy hearts warm

in the heat of the moment we thought the world stretched forever from the hillside where we perched and one day we would get to see the rest

for now, our world was big enough because our dreams were much much bigger

A Shade of Ash # 43 – Talk To You Tomorrow

Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com

I remember those Saturday nights we’d walk home together. In the lull of a quiet harbour. Watch a boat go out or watch the one cab we had drive down the south side. Laughing, carrying on with each other, and three sheets to the wind. Sometimes we would talk the ears off each other, other times you were too contrary. But, I would always make you laugh until you were over it.

Our strolls home from a party, a wedding dance, or the club were where our friendship grew the most. How comforting it was to have you as my best friend. You’ll always be my best friend, but I miss you and being alone under a streetlight at night still makes me mad…

…talk to you tomorrow.

A Shade of Ash # 42 – The Silence Was Strengthening

Photo by Kim Lawrie on Pexels.com

A rocking chair and the gap between your stories. I hung in that quiet and on your every last word. Your voice for my heart, your silence for my soul. Then, it was time for tea…

A Shade of Ash # 41 – On-Line Therapy

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a saying, “Some day on clothes.” It’s a way to describe the weather. A fine day to pin some clothes on the line to dry. It can also be a way to describe how you’re feeling, as explained by the nice man in the video I’ve left for you below. By the way, that YouTube channel has a lot of our culture, history, and gorgeous scenery if you’re interested. Yes, the people of my beautiful island have always emoted using cultural phrases which are associated with everyday experience. When we have a feeling to share, there’s usually a Newfoundland and Labrador way of saying it.

Continue reading “A Shade of Ash # 41 – On-Line Therapy”

A Shade of Ash # 40 – Sit Happens

When I walk, the world is at my feet. But if that very same world gives me the chance, I’ll put them up. – Ash 

Song Sheets of Summer – Haiku

blades of summer grass
dancing to the tune of life
may I have this dance

Second Thoughts # 6 – I Remember Swimmingly

Photo by Utopix Pictures Pictures on Pexels.com

A white towel around my neck, my curling hair is all wet, and I’m riding my mountain bike down a quiet highway in a standing position. Ah …the way back after a summer’s day swim.

It’s well past seven, almost eight and the sun, like us, is on the way home. I’m chilly now as the sun sets. I have goosebumps and my skin is drying out from living in pond water for the last four hours. My pedal strides are lazy as I slowly catch up to join a zigzag bicycle pattern my friends have already graciously started. We laugh right away bringing up our whole day and explaining to each other like it happened years ago. Drawing out every last second of detail and sodering it unconsciously to our souls. Every one of those day-at-the-pond moments we smiled at again and again. Over and over.

The adrenaline produced from a day like that would fuel the whole trip home for us. No matter how tired we were our along-the-way stunt dares and ten-second races kept us gaining ground without even noticing how close we were getting to home. Then, most times in the middle of a good joke or a story, one by one, each of my buddies would have to start branching off. Going their “rest of the way” alone. Breaking away from the pack usually with a middle-finger gesture, a newly learned curse word, or a bodily function. Sometimes all three. Soon, I too would cross that imaginary line that separated my neighbourhood from the rest of the world. The world of a twelve-year-old Ash. I remember that day swimmingly.

This second thought was brought to you by a walk earlier today on a path less taken. There was something about the atmosphere in the moment I was in and it overwhelmed me and I was there for it. I kicked up a little dirt and it transported me. Summer is indeed in the air and given the last few weeks, I needed this memory. Thanks, universe.

Until…

Me and the End of Summer

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Red sky evenings 
I remember them 
stretched highway at eight o’clock 
over the overpass to watch  
there is one last summer night coming out to play 
my pace quickens to catch up 
traffic flies by this one road boy 
who is wandering far from what he can recognize
adventure must be the same no matter where you are 
until I pass by an old train track that divided two kinds 
no friends from either so I move on
you could hear blades of grass keep a cool breeze in check 
slowing down seconds for teenagers of the land 
to win toys, steal kisses, and lose ice cream 
it is impossible to be this alone  
with Carnival noises filling the air 
but the lights threaten shadows 
the stars show up, crowds filter, I am lost
walking forever on the eve of September 
heading back to the red road toward home 

Something About Today # 3

I remember nights growing up where a neighbourhood street light made for the perfect set piece to the play of summer. – Ash

Something About Today # 2

I remember how long summer days were as a kid. It seemed as if there was time even between the seconds. – Ash