Words for Wednesday

Dahlias

by Sarah Day

Strangely bright
their electric colours
leap at me
from dark places.

At night I smell
the rusty rag leaf, brown water;
through the black
their lurid shapes come flaunting back,

shockingly exposed.
Their rude truth glares at me.
I shut my eyes.
The air weighs thick with acrid odors.

Source: Australian Poetry Library

More about the poet: The Write Stuff, Sarah Day

Early Autumn Palette

along Hope River Road:

Addendum:

I'm coming back to this post midafternoon to take a few deep breaths. Yes, it's been that kind of day. I think it may also help to remind myself I'll be walking along these roads later this Thanksgiving long weekend. Thanksgiving. Gratitude. Another breath.

It no longer feels like that kind of day. Or maybe it still is. But I'm better able to stay calm in the face of it.