lei fraser

Day 12

I sit on the shore
a stone among stones
shaped by the water
coming and going
the sun sets and rises
the moon rises and sets
the horizon a thread
between them
~

#poetry
#napowrimo2019

Day 11

time held its breath today
and I was lost in between
somewhere beyond
the ragged edge of being
not watching
barely still
in my skin
while I struggled
to find the surface
the universe became bigger
a photograph
formed
to show an ancient past
outside of what was known
only moments before
as imagination
while I drowned in space
unable to grasp
the smallest point
to right myself
still reaching
the world fought itself
people traded in lies
the innocent voices
ignored
while I sat
spent
undone
cherry blossoms unfolded
in the mountain’s shadow
~

#poetry
#napowrimo2019

Day 10

a little strength
the expense of truth

empty the well
some other way

a thousand petty hardships
helps someone else’s pain
so do something
worthwhile

play
for all the wrong reasons
move on
live
no one else can
prepare you
dream
without forgetting

lean
towards sunlight

#poetry
#napowrimo2019

Day 9

making space
for myself
carving it out
of the stone walls
I build around myself
out of protection
out of love
water wearing
tears on granite
on rose quartz
on sand
curled along
layers
woven into
the
skin

making space
for my soul
it has grown
beyond the house
travelling like summer
on a breeze through
the screen door
through
open windows
under eves
over porch steps
up cellar stairs
out over the garden
and down
the
lane

making space
to breathe
where the sky
meets the trees
find me there
among the roots
like sap rising
to budding leaves
like wind under down
lifted in flight
like morning slipping
through pine boughs
to greet
the
day

making space
to be
me
~

#poetry
#napowrimo2019

Day 8

close
but still
kinda far
orbiting
for a decade
longer
stars shift
in the sky
each new season
we are
touchstones
in the night
finding
a way to reach out
when it becomes
too hard to breathe
live without
because
we live within
like the sun
passing
the moon
at dawn
~

#napowrimo2019
#poetry

Day 7

The moon is heavy
Frost glass orb
Balanced in the darkness
In my palm

I saw my heart there
Through the window
Reflected in the soft glow
Not quite as whole

I pulled the blankets closer
Against the chill
Closed tired eyes
Invited sleep
To come join me
If it would
One more time
Head pressed
Thoughts lost in the nothing
Night offers
When words cannot
Break the case
And fly

~

#poetry #napowrimo2019

Day 6

vigilant watchman
at the corner
the street bare
in all directions
spared by the morning sun

a stray wanders
crisscrossing through
the shadows
windows still closed
to the night air
or the warm spring breeze
after a long winter

she sits in the ray
where the walls meet
face turned towards
the light
waiting
undisturbed

~

#poetry #napowrimo2019

Day 5

Sitting in semi-darkness
While they sleep
Intravenous drips
‘It is cold going into my hand”
Yes and the needle will leave a bruise
Tomorrow
Beyond the door
People come and go
With their sickness and pain
I chat with the nurse
While she finished with the line
Stories of past visits
Other patients who had
Unique accidents
Humour draped in absurd
Sometimes you have look for it
Sometimes the levity is the best medicine
I read Japanese
fairytales
While they rest
My mind wanders
Past the florescent light
Past the soft, reassuring voice of the doctor doing rounds
Past the waiting room
Filled to capacity
We wait for the meds
To work
The first tale is about
A dragon waiting for a warrior
Brave enough
To kill a centipede
Who terrorizes his family
One day a man sees the dragon
And is not afraid
He doesn’t run away to hide
He listens to the dragon’s request
They hear the giant insect
Coming closer
The brave man shoots twice
Both arrows fall away
Then he remembers something
He learned a long time ago
He licks his last arrow
and lets it fly
Dead center shot
Into the head
The dragon gives him gifts
To thank him for saving his family
A pot always filled with food
And other treasures
The man always humble has
Just what he needs
to be comfortable and live
I ask if the meds are working
Not yet
The cocktail has not finished
Its journey
The arrow will find its way
Just need to be patient

#napowrimo2019 #poetry

Day 4

I read the long shadows
here as I bathe
in the deep forest air
like cards spread out
along fallen trees and soft moss
what does the spring breeze
carry to me
as the sun plays in the canopy?
a message of hope?
of love?
of healing?
a warning?
the ants do not care
busying themselves
with their work
walking well traveled pathways
the fish do not care
busying themselves
swimming in the current
after the melt
looking for food on the surface
the crows care
watching from the highest limbs
hopping from branch to branch
calling to each other
listening
what do you tell me
in this quiet moment?
I breathe
I walk
I wonder
what the trees know

~

#napowrimo2019#poetry

Day 3

I am the last leaf
Unrelenting in the fall
Firmly planted on the limb
No wind can release me

#napowrimo2019

#poetry

Day 2

she walked into the room
like a dare
neck wrapped 
in red pashmina

what does it all mean?
she asked
looking me in the eye
a rumour of a smile
pulled the corners
not expecting the words
to leave my own lips
after taking a deep 
and measured breath “Love is everything”
another breath
“The universe knows what to do”
I finished with a smile
“and pie is good”

Still smiling 
I woke up 
shared the message
over coffee
and let it rest 
like a bird on my shoulder

pie is good
especially 
at breakfast time
true story.

#napowrimo2019

#poetry

Day 1 
Arrange your words
Like tiles on a game board 
Like you know 
Life vomits, hiccups, makes love
To the moment 
The moment you let go
Of the tile
You have lost.
How does that
Feel
?

Lament
One face to get 
The job done
One face to get by
One face to get
The smile
One face to cry

I pick up your lamentation
Between my fingers
Your sick saccharine disgust
Burrows into the pores
Of
My skin

Each
A hole
In the not white enough
Too white
And privileged
Skin

How
Does
That
Feel
?

It’s a big fuck you
Very much
And a thank you
Kick
In the ass

Do something

I don’t care
For this not caring
Not giving a damn
About
The roots
The love
The beginning

Where did you come from?
Do you think 
A vacuum?

You are on the silk
Stuck struggling
In the construct
While the spider licks her lips
For the next meal.

Get that.

Arrange
Your
Breath
Like it is the last

I am grateful
For the next

Arrange
Your 
Heart
Like it is loving

I am grateful

Arrange
Your voice
Like it is mute

I am grateful

I walk my soul’s Estate
Barefoot

#napowrimo2019

#poetry