Dance of the Gypsies     2017 (Dedicated to Sunday Dennis, Gemma Higgins and Dazy Drake, 3 beautiful souls gone too soon)

the voices are a little softer
the trails a little quieter this summer
in this particular place
the shady east side of Vancouver Island
and the mossy rocks in between
that despite the cruel winds of fate
still sparkle as they crack
three beautiful gypsies danced their last dance
now a banjo plays by itself
a glass of wine is lifted from a beach wood coffee table
a hand with no body draws a picture of petals
falling from a flower
they are like memories, caught on a summer breeze
drifting down onto the forest floor
i try to catch them, like it could bring you back.
animals lead me to a place deep in the woods
where huckleberries ripen in the filtered light
somewhere you loved to go when you were strong
there used to be more sun when you were here
or maybe the trees have grown
but I will safeguard this space for you
I will come to appreciate
the dry fir needles stuck under my shirt
because it is nothing
like the changing seasons
that always return
I will too, and we will learn
to laugh again, to forget the pain
and the distance between us
I saw you standing in the moonlight
watched as you climbed out the bedroom window
you dipped your foot in the starry sky
before anyone could stop you
or say goodbye,
but i try to find my own way to honour your spirit
i climb a trail up to the bluffs
and look down the coastline
i imagine you taking a new form
swimming with whales in the blue water
creeping up the straight
already deep in the mystery
I thought I felt your presence early one morning
i walked out to the garden and saw footsteps in the dew
the wind was blowing the leaves from the trees
but this time
this time I did not try and pick them up
I made no attempt to hold onto the final moments
you were pulled apart too soon
I could see that
you were still standing
in the light of the moon
dancing on a silver thread
you turned your head my way
one last time
and laughed your special laugh
just for me
soar free soar high
sweet children of the sky
down here below
we burn a fire and let you go