how I would love to be the earth

how I would love to be the earth
holding seeds as they sleep
intimately knowing their gentle opening in the darkness
feeling the pale shoot press open its coat
and stretch upward towards sunlight
to taste the open air

how I would like to support each plant
through its tentative beginning
until it stands firmly in place
through wind and storms

how I would love to be the earth
gathering rainfall for roots to drink
sipping and wicking
filtering moisture to aquifers below
tapped by wells
or feeding a rushing stream

how I would love to be the earth
fair and just
giving home to gentle organisms
who will render a soft extinction upon
my worldly vessel when my spirit rises

how I would love to be rich, sumptuous, mysterious earth

~

Inspired by Randy Lundy’s poem Early Spring; Dreaming a Garden. Credit to Neko Case for the phrase “soft extinction”.

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Hi all. Just a quick note to say gather all ye fools cause I’m playing a secret-ish show in Winnipeg on April 1. If you want more information, please email info@belleplainemusic.com. I believe there are about 15 tickets left. I’m looking for another show on March 31 between Regina and Winnipeg, so if you have an idea, please also reach out. It’s been awhile since I’ve been booking gigs. The gears are a bit rusty.

Hope everyone is keeping well in their winter burrows or while sunning themselves in tropical climes. I know I’m thinking of spring this week.

My dear friend, little jack films, took the photo below. Do yourself a favour and subscribe to his recently launched, image-based Substack by clicking the button. Thanks to Laurie Wall welcoming ljf and I into her space for an afternoon of creativity.