The Ferns of Seal Bay

intermittent

rain

soft trails

layered with

shed orange red brown

pine needles and wet earth

echoes shortened

stunted by the permanent and

deep dampness

nostrils flaring

to inhale the heaviness

of rotting bark

sponge moss

seaweed

filtered hazy light

slow slugs

spun webs

wooden railings along sunken ravines

seemingly sunless

though thriving with 

the ferns of Seal Bay

flailing at the base of everything

jungle-like

yet calmly lacking wildness

in shaded grace

silently exploding spores

from perfectly forked fronds

intermittent

rains

just a spitting patter

competing with the song

of waves on rock

 aware of each possible path

I mind-walked without directional intent

from a thousand kilometers away

dreamily sent

just by glimpsing the hues

of the Straight of Georgia

in your eyes

intermittent

rain

ferns and ocean on the Alberta plains

you are a beautiful

beautiful journey