poetry

As the fall burns up the living things and winter comes upon us, my mind wanders to those new mothers out there and the delicious anticipation of a baby. I am so fortunate to have two babies of my own and as they approach double digits, I am reminded of the slow moments of connection between the old and the new. The coming together of a family welcoming their newest member. The sleepless nights that bring on the delirious delicious love that babies bring.

The worst form of inequality is to try and make unequal things equal.
-Aristotle

Equality implies individuality.
-Trey Anastasio

All who have died are equal.
-Comanche horseman

As I continue to celebrate women while recognizing the theme of equality this month, I am reminded that none of us are created equal. We all possess varied strengths and weaknesses, the driving elements of who we are, changing all the time. I wanted to ask some of the women in my life, “what is the best part about being a woman?”

It’s not every day that I discover a collaborator like Niki Sombrowski. I first met Niki as a high school senior, working hard on his education, playing Junior B hockey for the Fernie Ghostriders. Once his season was over, he was looking forward to playing elsewhere.

This year I have been bestowed the great honor of being named Poet Laureate of The Fernie Academy. This means so much to me not only because I get to raise awareness around literacy during poetry month, simply put, I get to write poems and support my community with my skills as an artist. I also get to inspire young writers, (among them, my two strong boys) and encourage the creative impulse in kids and adults of all ages.