Sunshine in a Jar

This morning I sit by my first garden, between the early morning shining sun in the east and the fading moon in the west. My feet in the cool grass. Two cardinals sing in the trees. A gold finch waits by the feeder. Ravens fly from rooftop to rooftop, watching me as I watch them. Since yesterday’s rain the humidity is gone and a breeze rustles the trees, their arms sway against a cerulean sky. It is then I knew my gardener’s soul arrived.

I’ve always loved the book The Secret Garden, a story about the healing power of a garden. Although my garden is for vegetables, the process of bringing it to life and watching it grow is more rewarding than I could have imagined. My only regret is not planting one sooner.

What a beautiful Family Day long weekend! A friend and I took advantage of the sunshine and went to Port Hope for a walk along Lake Ontario. Finding a sculpture family and seeing a swan was a wonderful surprise! I haven’t used my camera since the Fall so it was nice to take it out to play.

In Winter
 
In Winter the sun winked
from over the lake
welcoming our voices to
wind Cat to King.
 
We meet poetry in kindness
as he sips sweetly
hugging our words
as we share poetry.
 
We taste his twelve ways
of graceful inspiration
his voice inviting creation,
offering spaces for all of us to raise
a community of poetic relations.
 
A story of a witty
Laureate unwilling
to live flatly
on the page…
 
He sways and he sings
verses outside of time
building ballad opera  
among habitats
for laughter and sanity
a legacy of shelter,
a town of poetry:
 
In Winter, the sun winked…
 
 
 
By Jessica Outram
 
Written in honour of Eric Winter: February 4, 1923 – December 21, 2019.

“Eric Winter was appointed as the 1st Poet Laureate July 21, 1997. He continued in the role until August 24, 2009. Eric was made the inaugural Laureate in anticipation of and as part of the 1998 year-long Heritage Celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the first settlements that now make up the municipality. Eric held the post for 12 years, 1 month and 3 days.”

James Pickersgill

Eric Winter was featured in Poetry Present twice.

• Click here to read “Guilt”
• Click here to read “The Less Inspired”