Shawn L. Bird

Author, poet, & teacher tumbling through the universe.

[shawnlbird]

List Stories:

Following an excellent flash workshop at Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival, Lintusen Press is putting out a submission call for an anthology of LIST STORIES, closing in the fall. Watch for it at LintusenPress.ca/submissions, but in the meantime, here’s an excellent post from Kathleen Jennings about how to use the form. List Stories: How they work, what they offer

[shawnlbird]

poem-tree talk

We walk the trails and I hear the trees talk creaking screeches from beneath the bark. Their sap song celebrates spring. We hear, wondering what stories creaking sap sings and wishing we grasped more meaning, while thankful that at least we sense their feelings about spring.

[shawnlbird]

poem- cloudy

On the peaks, the snow is blinding white.Where has it found the light to glow so brightlybeneath this cloud filled sky?I need to find sun,so I am an equally inspiring sight.

[shawnlbird]

poem-sunglasses at night

I step outside into the dark;moon’s glowing so bright it’s making shadows of the railingsAnd I think in dark timesReflect the light, andbars appear. Keep up the fight.

[shawnlbird]

poem-ornithological optimism

Each year with peace the mother geeseFind those penthouse nests after the snowsThey see platforms for ospreys: prime waterfront real estate. For a time,they settle themselves, get comfortable,squat home with mirth; they are there first.But.Each year in May there comes a daywhen these geese have lost their lease.Ospreys come back. I’ve never seen an attackand yet one day raptor eyes appraise the…

[shawnlbird]

poem-blast from the past

Once againyou come by dreamto spend some time with me.This visit you brought your wifeand gave me wildly inappropriate giftsthat I accepted graciously,thankful her choices were not mine.And yet my heartstill stirred at your smile.How strange, these callsseparated by time and miles.

[shawnlbird]

poem-bird spring

42 Red-winged blackbirds along the little lake5 herons in the marsh1 eagle keeping watch on the foreshore21 robins in the neighbour’s treesa pair of house finches back in our blue spruce Spring calling in the dawn and duskTwittering joy on the wind.

[shawnlbird]

poem- a spring day

At the neighbour’s, there are twenty-one robins purposefully flittering and twittering. Above, the sky is baby blue; little cloud puffs waft across, like running tykes, (hear their giggles?) On trees green buds peek from each branch. Breathe in these beginnings. I believe, this peaceful day is what hope looks like.

[shawnlbird]

poem- powered

What we know about those who crave power is that they are not the best people to have it. Those who crave standing upon towers and amassing fortunes are not placid. A true leader is a servant to those he leads Doing what is best to lift all to health and comfort That leader provides what the community needs True leaders don’t think they themselves should come first.

[shawnlbird]

poem-dark

Stark days So hard to believe people mean such evil things so much surprise despite warnings. Dark clouds lightning strikes But after shock, folks are aroused to lift their lights. Stand for what’s right. Know the power and strength that is kindness. Black hearts do not win for long History knows, peace is stronger. Empathy is mighty. Time for mindfulness and doing whatever you…

[shawnlbird]

CANADIAN AUTHOR LIST

Looking for some new authors in your favourite genre? Check out this growing list of Canadian authors. Request their books at your library or favourite book seller!(“Canadian” for us means the author either lives in Canada or is a Canadian citizen living elsewhere) CHILDREN’S: Jacqueline Guest Karen Autio FANTASY: Charles de Lint Newford series HISTORICAL: C. C. Humphreys Jack Absolute…

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[shawnlbird]

poem-Logophobia

LOGOPHOBIA Fear of the word is fear of the thing itself.Fear aggression, strike out when you’re terrified.Ban the words to identify your opposition.Scary, scary words: activism, activists, advocacy, advocate, advocates, barrier, barriers, biased, biased toward, biases, biases towards, bipoc, black and latinx, community diversity, community equity, cultural differences, cultural heritage,…

[shawnlbird]

poem-amazed

when they’re togetherit’s a game of who’s betterwho’s got money to spendshowing off for their friendswho aren’t really their friendscultivate an imagethrow money aroundat least if it’s for charitytheir better, better, betterso someone benefitsfrom the image polishing.

[shawnlbird]

Poem- to the universe

(For Murg)In this dark placeSending you spaceFor love and gratitudeSupportive attitudesHelp where it’s neededConcerns that are heededIn this dark placeSending love and grace.

[shawnlbird]

poem-summer poem

Here is a summer poem, Lit by late light a crackling bonfire poem paddling in water sparkling with laughter.

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[shawnlbird]

poem-insomnia

Black nightsleep tightcreeping creaturethoughts featurerampant racingadrenaline pumpingthumping heart.Black nightcount sheepcrush the creeping thinkingshrink the thinkingblock thinkingstop thinkingBlack nightsleep tightYeah.Right.

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[shawnlbird]

Poem: Naah Na-na-na Na-na Na-na Bats, man!

We could just call them nocturnal birdsThe same bouncing souring as swallows:Dips,Dives,Digesting insects to equal their body weight.Sleep away the day, just hanging outWaiting for their night flight,hand-sized chihuahuas in hang-glidersamazing mosquito munching movesUtility belts unnecessary to such cute, useful beasts.Moon dancers wending wingsrising through summer skies.

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