April mix 2013

Dear Everyone:

Here are a few various shots
from the weekend.


Enjoy.

aprilmix#12013

aprilmix#22013

aprilmix#52013

aprilmix#122013


Helen.

Crocuses revisited 2013

Dear Everyone:

I remain fascinated and preoccupied
with photographing crocusses this
Spring.

crocusrevisited#22013


Helen.

Mother's Day #2 2013

Dear Everyone:

This image is in honour of mothers everywhere.

And in particular my own mother and sister.

mothersday#22013


Helen.

Absence poem 2013

Dear Everyone:

Here is a recent poem.

ABSENCE

Today I tried living as if I meant it
This is new for me
Typically I'm in the future ahead
of myself with thoughts of intentions
or like sleepwalking only partially
focussed on the here and now
I vaccumed the living room and tidied
feeling all the while the shock of awareness
Being present also meant facing foibles and
shortcomings I'd rather just ignore
I'm used to being absent
Hiding within denial and
rationalizations perhaps having something
in common with an alcoholic
Is there a meeting for the only half-awake
and not fully aware
Mindfulness is a tough art to acquire
I have flashes of it now
Hey, I could get used to this


Helen.

Crocus close-ups 2013

Dear Everyone:

I had some time to kill before
an appointment and ended up shooting
close-ups of crocusses.

I'm pleased with how they turned out.
See #13 in particular.

Enjoy.

crocusclose-up#152013

crocusclose-up#82013

crocusclose-up#132013

crocusclose-up#102013

crocusclose-up#112013

crocusclose-up#122013

crocusclose-up#12013


Helen.

"A" is for anger poem

Dear Everyone:

Here is a recent poem. It does not
describe any one person but a combination
of different individuals known to me.

"A" is for Anger poem

Your anger exists on a hair trigger
You seem to believe that
people are out to get you
You ricochet through life
like a boulder falling down a cliff-face
The "A" words suit you-angry, assertive,
abrasive, aggressive
The flip side of the rage seems
to be sensitivity
Sort of like a child you
appear vulnerable
Sometimes I tiptoe in your presence
I'm fearful of triggering you
A trail of failed relationships follows you
This much estrangement sends up
warning flags
Where did it start
Another "A" -an alcoholic father
All I wish for you now is harmony
I wonder if it could blanket you
in peace
It's worth a try, anything is


Helen.

A Strange Sight poem 2013

Dear Everyone:

This is my latest poem.

A painting accompanies it.

cedarwaxwing2012


A STRANGE SIGHT

It's too urban a setting for wildlife
yet I see you all flocking on
a berry tree by the Tim Horton's
How did you find this single
shrub amongst the concrete
You don't seem disturbed by
the cars going through the drive-through
What term best describes you-
a family or a group
You flash your colourful plummage
I gawk
Even I-not much of a naturalist
really-recognize your species, a cedar waxwing
I wonder how you tell if
the berries are poisonous or not
I rush to capture the image
with my camera
If I hadn't seen it with my own
eyes I wouldn't have believed it
Beauty amongst grit


Helen.

Mother's Day #1 2013

Dear Everyone:

My thoughts have turned to Mother's Day.
It is only a month away.

Here is the first of some Mother's Day images.

Enjoy.

mothersday#12013

Helen.

Top runner 2013

Dear Everyone:

I had seen this runner out and about for a couple
of years now.

I had always hoped to snap a shot
of her and finally did.

She has very good running form and posture.

toprunner2013


Helen .

April triptych 2013

Dear Everyone:

I was sorting through some photos and these
ones struck my fancy and made a lovely
triptych.

I am very pleased with the composite image.

Enjoy.

personabletriptychplus2013


Helen.

Ambition poem 2013

Dear Everyone:

This poem is written in honour of
my 2 nephews. They strive hard
academically and work just as hard
at their running.

AMBITION

Your ambition flows out of you
Bubbling over in its intensity
Don't burn out in youth
Save a bit in reserve
Was it your parents' expectations
of you
Perhaps that of your mentors
Hold back the slightest amount
In my version, the turtle finishes
the race the hare does not
Admiration is tempered with worry


Helen.

Let's Restore the Rational

Dear Everyone:

Here is my latest poem. It describes
the impasse between North Korea
and the United States.

LET'S RESTORE THE RATIONAL

Your rebellion seems to exist
despite nothing to rebel against
Your sounds of defiance seem empty
You hold the whole world ransom
transfixed by your rhetoric
Rhetoric and propaganda fill
the airwaves in your tiny nation
How does your populace see
through the trickery
To what end are the vigorous threats
Intimidation perhaps
We try to stay calm despite
the hoopla
One party in this never-ending
conflict needs to use reason
Could rationality be restored
to our exchange
We invite you and await
your reply


Helen.

Petsmart 2013

Dear Everyone:

I plan to resume shooting people and
pets this Spring.

Here is my first entry.

Enjoy.

Helen.

petsmart2013