The Painting

Robin Larocque

Airplanes

Nolan Long

When I drive out to the airport

I’ll sit down on the apron And watch planes break through the clouds. I’ll count down with each and every one Until I see yours emerge in the distance.

I’ll fall into a long and euphoric sleep When that Dreamliner comes into view.

I’ll wonder what you’re seeing and What you’re thinking As the city grows beneath youThe sky falling behind you.

And as the plane falls closer to me, It’ll remind me of when I flew to you last Spring. Breaking through the purple sky.

“Beyond” is named after the song called “Beyond the Sea.” This photo captures the moment of a scenic sunset view at Stanley Park.

They write stories about people like me now

In their second act, they say

As if our lives before this time didn’t matter Because we were not famous or big or loud Because we spent all that time stifling our torments

Forty is when it all begins, they say This is when we can shed our baggage

As if our baggage is not what brought us here

They tell us to discard it now, like trash we’ve finished with Loudly let it go to free our hands for new work

I am supposed to feel free

The wind over my shoulders, the air through my hair

I am supposed to close my eyes when I look towards the moon

To breathe deeply, as if this is the first breath I’ve ever really drawn and all the breaths I’ve drawn before were not practice for this moment

Impossible woman, they tell me

Reframe your desirability, they whisper

But they don’t know, I am wife I am mother I am soul

I am in my first act

My only story, with one end and only one beginning

For once, you won’t be in the distance. Though now you’re on the horizon, Then you’ll be in my arms.

Graham Wall Discernment

Two quiet balsam trees rest in contradiction. Chlorotic and bright, the colours create friction —especially the leaves. The qualia of sight laughs at prediction.

Light speaks Greek, and dark, Hebrew— the language of chimes. But before I knew, the sound was not meek, for the crow had climbed; her judgment would imbue.

* Previously published on the author’s blog.