LITTLE THINGS

It's the little things that
put life into proper perspective.
    Like looking at trees and forests
    Sorting things out takes at least two perspectives.

The big things that create huge soul shadows
just seem to fade in ominous when sized
against the little things.
    Easy to say that balance is the thing
    When looking at the journey of a thousand miles
    Take that first step.
 
A box kite and plenty of running.
    Clouds drifting across the sky, lying back and relaxing
Slippery fish sluicing frigid lake water.
    Sliding in with the fish for one quick cold dip
A dangling dragon guardian.
    Resting next to a heart filled with love
Tiny crab and mussel shells.
    Pressed tiny twin flower
A dried burgundy rose with lavender statis.
    Dragon jewelled dagger with a green leather sheath
A chewy puppy snoring softly.
    A kitten exploring naked bodies (with delight)
Pedalling around the park at twilight.
    Standing on the dock with the wind tossing hair
Five-petaled pink primroses.
    Glowing face smiling through the roses as we part
Lily cat curled in my ponytail.
    Pepperdine licking my face to make sure I am awake
Finn dog romping with a yellow volleyball.
    Pepper so lonely he trashes my gazebo.
Swallows mud nest near my bedroom.
    Belted kingfisher splashes into the lake
A cabin with a twisty log centerpole.
    A "cute cabin" with silence as its strongest virtue.
Figure-eight knots holding claybeads.
    A hatband that needs to be tacked in place
Two swimmy fishes on multicolored thread.
    One shiny and one coppery
Hot Irish Barry's Tea crafted in Cork.
    Earl Grey boiled in a white kettle
Horse-tail clouds at sunrise.
    Thunderheads towering and edged in night purple
Trees and trees and trees.
    Fir and spruce and pine and poplar and birch
Dreams of many greens.
    And of new growth and gentle mists.
Oranges eaten plucked from the tree.
    Juice bursting and dribbling down the licked chin.
A hidden foothill lagoon ripe with birds.
    Old friends and new screeching and introducing them.
Lonely lilting loons gliding in silent waters.
    Echoing calls from rock cliffs and wild pines
Quiet paddling on a dusk tinged lake.
    Puffing vicarious hill walk .
Surprise birthday celebration.
    chocolate cake and peanut butter
Willow furniture crafted with heart.
    Waiting rocker chair
Fresh fish and baby squid with Portuguese recipes.
    Opening my mouth for all the leftovers
Long drives on curvy roads.
    Does that include fingers tracing or just hands on thighs?
Two a.m. entanglements, musky scents, light sweating.
    morning light on glistening bodies
Hiking and dog-swimming lessons.
    (and cliff edge walking for snake thinking men)
Wise quotes on tea-bag strings.
    poetry by the minute, hour, and day
Totem poles and eagles winging.
    pelicans sparkling in the light of the sand.
Topographical maps and winding trails.
    Friendly guides, helpful people and one Smokey the Bear patch
Hummingbirds in sagebrush.
    or was it Scotch broom?
Glorious, sinuous manzanita.
    red brown bark and brilliant yellow flowers
Sugar pines with foot-long cones.
    sounds like hot dogs with sauerkraut
Ice cream sundaes, counting cars, frozen gummy bears.
    Butterscotch (and I lost well)    
Hunger, longing, fervour, satiated.
    while a pile of bubbles waited for us
Spooning and sighing and tangled limbs.
    sleep slipping in on us
Cooking and computing.
    one taste for me -- one story for you
Reading aloud lessons on loving.
    and then practicing what we were learning
Cat licking, rumbled happy purrs.
    soft kisses on lips (both)
Dog songs and long walks in the hills.
    W-A-L-K or rattle of leash and mournful song
Stellar Jays with black pompadours.
    and the pompadourless were what?
Swimming in sun-warmed Silverwood.
    and you thought that was cold, there was no ice.
My very first fishing license.
    Next time out your very first fish.
Strawberries and cream.
    in the bed, in the tub, and on the chair
Crunchy Fuji apples with juice spraying.
    shared mouthfuls with tongues twisting
Books and poetry and reading and listening.
    and more books and more poetry and more
Timber and cadence of that Canuck/Scot/English lilt.
    that firm hand of laughing correction Irish French lass
Barbecued steaks and steamed veggies.
    watering eyeballs from mesquite smoke
Making love in a tent.
    deep breath... wow
Sailing, harnessing the wind, leaning into waves.
    that ancient way of boat and wind (man with woman)
Spicy tea and old pictures.
    Good Earth and family history
Candlelit bubble baths and scrubbing backs.
    Where is that luffa? Moonlight will do.

Angus and alix