Inclement

 

Georgian Bay waves, dishwater 

grey, white-frosted rise, 

throw cymbal and drum at my ears, 

crusts of brown foam ice my wheels, 

mud-rutted path 

 

Bicycle slow 

knuckles red-chapped, sandpapered by wind 

cheeks sleet-stung rain-teared, 

each pedal’s turn a hard push 

 

Take me home, 

take me to some place called 

safe from the storm 

 

Jessie sits 

on the sidewalk, blanket under her knees 

red cup beside her, Timmies gone cold 

she makes art, draws with pencils— 

a giraffe or a Jesus, blue jay, grey wolf, 

many horses, one sharp-eyed red fox 

 

I forget sometimes 

everything 

 

Where is she now?