Whiskey Jacks

Rabbits, gathering around a hole,

Foxes tumbling near the den,

They are aware we are watching them.

You, in the street,

Your gait – a whispering limp but,

You’re out with a purpose!

To get milk

Attend to your friend

Your child

Your case

I’m over here, in the wild

Observing,

The ocean, a screen between us

Observing with short, shallow breaths

Watching it all unfold like

A Netflix series.

Rabbits gathering around a hole

Foxes tumbling near the den

I am watching you, like I watched the bear,

That ran alongside the van on the Dempster

Fascinated. Curious. Alive

Seeing what I can, while I can.

The rabbits went into their hole (at least I think they did)

The foxes skittered off (they won’t show you where they live)

That bear ran alongside us (for a surprisingly long time)

then down into the gully, out of sight.

When will you?

Halfway through, there is a small door in the wall.

You have to be willing to get down on your hands and knees, but

You can take it if you want.

You can go back to the places that you screwed up previously

And you can try them again.

You can go back there,

Perhaps with gloves this time or with a new set of sturdy shoes.

But my guess is that not much will change.

Or,

You can go with an envelope containing a message

Of forgiveness for that old you.

The one who made the mistakes,

The one that somehow got stuck there, milling around those tight places.

And do you know what? When you get the message, you are free to go!

Great big paths, surrounded by evergreens and poplars and shimmery grasses and a green lake too,

Will open up around you

And your legs will be strong enough to walk them, run them even!

And your eyes will fill up on all the things you missed the first time.

The air will feel clean and full of scent.

There will always be new things to forgive

And you can. Just make it to the halfway point and look for the small door.