Is it the robin whose morning song so sharp and crisp awakens me in this enchanted place, or the warble of Juncos whose hooded faces delight as they forage between the dried, curled aftermath of a cold Winter, now pushed aside by new life sprouting? The absence of raindrops on tin roof offers promise that the sun might appear today, the buds on the oak trees as anxious as I for the warmth.
I raise the window shades to reveal the lush green of Douglas firs, the walls that divide us from our neighbours: nomads like us in the quest to commune with a simpler way of life. We are metal boxes tucked within green pockets, quiet souls hushed by the grandeur of the forest we currently call home, reticent to disturb the wildlife that also grazes here – squirrel, fox, and rumours of cougar. Occasionally bear. We are skirted on one side by marsh, a lush welcoming for geese and goldeneyes; and on the other by ocean, where seagulls and terns claim driftwood as perches. It is the raven who is master here. Large wings casting shadows, the thrumming call – sometimes belligerent, sometimes a purr – a reminder that this land is theirs, that the totem poles dotting the island are a testament to royalty.
Offshore, seals roam in masses encouraged by the schools of trout and halibut, and soon the salmon run. Orcas gather in semi-circular formation, readying the hunt. Spring is a time of proliferation – abundance after the Winter chill.
Arise, old woman
Nature evokes new rhythm –
Spirit wants to dance.
(Vancouver Island first appeared here April, 2018. It is an early attempt at a haibun. I am linking up to my weekly challenge: trees. Image my own.)
Love this piece and cheer for the poem ending. Your writing transports and your haibun uplifts. Thanks, and I am sorry to hear about you selling your rig. My father had a little pop up trailer (also a birdwatcher) and I have many photos of him in one of those mesh folding chairs, in shorts and his ball cap beside a variety of lakes or in some campground in the States. I had fantasies this past year of ‘having home, will travel’. I will need to find different ways to be out in the woods…
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Thanks Sarah. I’m glad we did it while we could and have the memories, but the longing in me to travel is sadly only heightened looking back.
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I’m in Vancouver now bcz of u😁👏
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You are? Lucky you. Tried to visit your site but it says it doesn’t exist anymore.
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Thanks, try this site – https://sites.google.com/view/simplyfresh-food/home?authuser=0
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Nice! You offer a good service.
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Or u could also visit my blogs http://simplyfreshfood.food.blog/2021/06/02/5-foods-beverages-that-fight-stress/
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Yes! This suits me more.
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I’ve been watching Chesapeake Shores which is filmed on Vancouver Island it looks a total paradise.I long to go.. it was lovely to read this… ❤
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Thanks. Definitely a heart place for me.
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Such an enjoyable read, and noting we live in similar geography.
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You do! Lucky you! Thanks Paul.
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My pleasure VJ
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Beautifully written. Been once — to Comox.
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Oh, nice! Thanks.
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Beautiful
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Thanks
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Wow! What an amazing place you have described!
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Thanks Eugi. The island is a spectacular place.
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My pleasure!
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I love this form and you deliver with it! What an ending! And I’m just a sucker for themes of rebirth!
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Sounds like you might be going through one right now. Thanks.
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I hope so. It would be nice if that’s all it is. Welcome!
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I’d love to be there right now. Beautiful haibun!
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Me too! Thanks.
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I’ve never been to Vancouver Island, but now feel like I have. This is a wonderful write; full of so much imagery and peace.
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There is so much there to enjoy, nature wise. Thanks Andrea.
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You’re welcome. I’ll bet it’s a photographer’s paradise too!
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Definitely that!
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I loved your haibun, particuarly the haiku.
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Thanks Liz!
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You’re welcome, VJ!
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Ahhh, to raise the shades and find myself back on Vancouver Island!! While I dream, May my hip and legs behave as they did back then, back there …
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It is a special spot, but I think you’re at least still getting on the road, aren’t you? We sold our rig this week. No more travel for us.
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Beautifully written, VJ! And that’s where I live now, since 2018, in Parksville – it really is a paradise!
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Lucky you! We spend a month there and it gets in your veins. Miss it.
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I am there. Arise……… made me smile 🙂
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Happy to have you smiling along with me. Thanks Brian!
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Oh wow… that sounds like an amazing place.
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It truly is. Thanks for reading.
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That was my immediate reaction as well: I need to get myself to Vancouver Island for a visit!
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It’s a special place….just aim for the non-rainy season, lol.
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I’ll bear that in mind!
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Lol. My husband had it in his mind that we would retire there, but it rained the whole month we visited.
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That will put a damper on the procedings (pun intended).
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Lol. It did. I think my kids were glad.
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I love this! You have brought me there.
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Thanks Heather.
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Your welcome
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