widdershins

#32 – Rattlesnakes in the trees

Tired of being contained by tent walls and rain drops, I escape. I follow the road down, braving the rattling of rattlesnake tails in the trees. Years later, I figure out the truth – chipmunks.

 

#31 – The Boozecan off of Pender or was it Hastings?

An innocuous door, a knock, a word and we are let in.  My eyes blink as the hammering of a guitar rides over me.  Jostled to the bar, I nod my head in greeting.

#30 – Harlequins and Dishes (Part 3)

I close the back cover and ponder.  Instead of the anticipated titillations I am left with sense of deflation.  I see no reason to continue on my foray into the world of adult romance literature.

#29 – Harlequins and Dishes (Part 2)

I look down at the book. A couple embrace and though chaste, it is enough to scintillate my eleven year old imagination. The white pages promise of forbidden knowledge. I lick my lips with anticipation.

#28 – Harlequins and Dishes (Part 1)

Shimmers of heat envelop my feet as I squirm away from the chips of paint embedding themselves into my thighs. My mother’s singing and the dull din of dishes waft out of the window above.

#27 - Frisbees and Cider
Sitting on the stoop while sipping apple cider we surveyed the streetscape, planning our takeover. The neighbours shook their head at those ‘crazy kids’ as our lime green missile was hurled through the air.

#26 – Newford

At night I walk her streets while the Crow Girls fly above. Geordie’s fiddle fills the landscape of faeries and the forgotten. At dawn, I am lulled to sleep by the Dreaming Tree’s stories.

#25 – Impulse Commercial

Through the throngs of bodies you emerged. For a brief moment you stood in front of me before you thrust the flower at me. You turned and were submerged back into the milling limbs.

#24 – The Hat

My fingers traced the black soft worn felt. The reflection shadowed in mystery, hinted at stories. I had to choose responsibility for fantasy. A month of Mr. Noodles the price for the starring role .

#23 – The photograph

A day in the sun, we had all put on our costumes and scrambled into cars. A motley crew, blowing in on a westerly wind, we posed, stilling ourselves for moment. We have since scattered.

#22 – The Night at the Hollywood

We were lounging against the wall, waiting when I saw your face. I could feel the melting ice pooling. To my surprise we were waiting for you. All I wanted was just one kiss.

#21 – Sledding in the Moonlight

The trees beckoned, daring us to ride down into their embrace. With makeshift sleds of garbage bags, fueled by our fearless teen egos, we rode down the embankment, to rest on the frozen stream.

#20 – John Lennon

Your eyes were bloodshot and puffy, they mirrored my mom’s. I knew you were crying for him. Too young then to understand. Later, I realised were as much for yourselves as for him.

#19 – The Death of Kermit

Waiting, I held him behind your ear. Screams. Kermit flew past, arms and legs flailing to fall somewhere on the highway behind us. Later, you traded the halls of Buchanan for the psych ward.

#18 – The Ovaltine Cafe

The neon sign, blinking its requiem, promised coffee and pie. Conversations danced around us while surreptitious glances in the mirrors set our young egos at ease. We were unwitting harbingers of the coming years.

#17 – The Last Day of Our Acquaintance

The stereo was cued. I was leaving high school and you behind. Your Chuck Taylors, black jeans and sweaters the foil to my Cinderella dress. You were eye candy and my teeth were rotting.

#16 – The Day I Read You the Velveteen Rabbit

I could hear your muffled sobs through your closed door, wanting to stay a child a little bit longer. Cuddled under the blankets, I stroked your head and read to you one more time.

#15 – Grandpa

You’ve been gone for seven years. It still catches, the ache when I remember you aren’t here. Your face would light up when you saw me. You were mine and I was unconditionally yours.

#14 – Anne of Green Gables

Snuggled under the covers, popcorn beside me, I open the cover and my life falls away. For awhile, I can be young and daydreaming about Avonlea. I still cry each time the Piper comes.

#13 – Halloween 2000

You left saying Halloween made you uncomfortable. We stayed longer to dance and swap kisses. Entering the yard, we could see you through the window painting the ceiling, waiting for us to come home.

#12 – Prayer of St. Francis

From dirt and blood, the prayer forms on my tongue. Words spoken or sung, it does not matter. Before the last syllable dissipates, the air shimmers with echoes of a voice raised in answer.

#11 – A Snow Filled Gorge

In short-sleeves and jeans we slid down the embankment. The snow muffled our cries of “found you” while birds circled over our heads. Warmed by our revels, angel pockets marked our trek home.

#10 – Homesick

I didn’t understand the feeling, I was that child that could care less where I was. That night crying in my bunk, I knew across the water that you had entered into the world.

#9 – Dead Roses

24 crimson roses tied up in a bow, odourless and stripped of thorns, an expression of how little you knew me. They were dead the next morning when you flung them virulently at me.

#8 – The ‘Magic Place’

My body still thrummed with music. I was light and the night glowed with my radiance. Ahead concrete darkness – then – stillness broken into shattered beams of warmth. Stopping midstep the unheard car raced by.

#7 – The day I saw Monica Hughes

I looked for you but you never came. Later, hand on my shoulder they told me that you had an accident. I always wanted to ask you why there was acid in the garage.

#6 – The trees on King Edward Boulevard

Across the back field and into the bushes. A quick dash, duck and in the trees we would be. A choir of fallen angels clad in maroon plaid haloed with smoke perched above me.

#5 – The kitchen in your mom’s house

Were you washing dishes? I hadn’t seen you in years. At loose ends on a family vacation I wasn’t looking for answers. Several conversations later and my whole life had found a new direction.

#4 – The first walk on our first date

You were so much older, so glamourous my words tumbled over one another. Your vices were still hidden under stories. We rounded the bend. The gull, a silent sentry, perched against a slate view.

#3 – Depeche Mode 101

We came out to a yellowed street. The sidewalk was almost empty. My ears still rang with songs of devotion until the echoes were jarred by a saxophone. It haunted our unsteady steps home.

#2 – Cafe S’il Vous Plait

Cracked booths, tendrils of spider ferns and greetings envelop me as I enter. Glasses foggy with coffee, I sip and taste the hint of spice. Others’ conversations create a sound backdrop for my own.

#1 – Don Henley’s Boys of Summer

Now, my hand turns it up before I’m aware that it is playing. Then, it was 1985 and too young to drive. Yet, I could feel the freedom of a road that goes anywhere.