Deer, Eagles, Hawks
Almost daily, I hike uphill through the woods to a spectacular view of the southern Gulf Islands and a distant view of Mount Baker. I hear ferry horns in Active Pass.
Back in my garden, a pileated woodpecker thrums a snag. Rufous-sided towhees scrabble in the underbrush. A deer rests in the shade between the woolly thyme and the variegated ornamental grass. High above I hear the plaintive call of a bald eagle. Two red-tailed hawks divebomb the eagle, again and again, until the majestic bird gives up and soars away, leaving the hawks and their nest unscathed. Arbutus trees, lush green forest, and silence surround me once again.
A reclusive life is suitable for both reading and writing poetry. I collated and edited a 70-page poetry manuscript in the first year of the pandemic. It’s still in process. During the pandemic, each year in April, I wrote a poem a day for national poetry month, and these drafts have accumulated, along with zoom writing with a poet friend. I’m currently collating and editing a second manuscript. Having a poetry group that meets monthly, is invaluable. We share and workshop each other’s drafts. I recommend forming a group of poets with whom to share your work.
Readings
- We did a public reading, sponsored by the League of Canadian Poets and the Salt Spring Public library at the end of April 2022. All on zoom. We met recently in person, for the first time in over two years.
- At Russell books in Victoria on June 10, I read at the Poets Caravan celebration along with about 20 other poets. It was inspiring to spend an evening with so many talented poets and to hear their words, humour and passion.
Feel free to respond or share.
Thank you kindly,
Chris Smart
