you come from Harmony

in Nova Scotia

where the winter warms your mind

and ocean swirls around your pale legs

in these Maritimes

pulling Glasgow from your warm blanket in the eager sand

so cold for August and such a dark blue

in the shipwreck

some call your eyes

saffron and gingham cheerfully greet the corridors of Mendham

where your kitten clings to your frock

as you balance your groceries from one arm to the other

The loaf of bread falls gently to the pavement

Do you remember

remember St. Laurent and Rue Des Pins

on an autumn day

when you lost your friend

it came to an end

and you turned away

this is too precious

this is too precious to sacrifice for pain

you reach for the wooden spoon and taste the tomato

on your spine

memories of harmony

gardens by the sea

don’t fret

this is too precious

too precious to give up

feel it like the waves of Nova Scotia

swirling round your legs

This is too precious