In the Wind (poem) by Leanne Dyck

A poem in tribute to nature's beauty.

'nature's fragility, nature's beauty' ldyck

Sing to me of trees dressed for autumn,

of spring rain, of summer sun,

of snowflakes dancing in the air 
like fairy princesses.

And I will follow you 
down dirt paths,

through snowbanks,

we will leave footprints in the sand.

We will be children of nature, 

living forever in the wind.

*On April 28, 2018, while on a walk with Abby, this poem flew from some magical place to my ear.

'letting the sun in' ldyck

This June's blog offering...
-a two-part short story on my relationship with CBC (public) radio.
-a book review on an Icelandic classic
-a report on a writers' workshop

'Abby, the beautiful' ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Moving to an Island (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Mayne Island, my island home, has a population of 1071 (according to Google).

A map

'Salish Eagle on the water' ldyck

Are you interested in moving to a rural island?

 I'd highly advise you to vacation there. Rent a cabin and experience your future home in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Befriend islanders and begin to build your network of support. Move to your new home with your eyes wide open. 

What did I do?

Well...

'Salish Eagle docking' ldyck

My mom's death took me to a very dark place. In search of a nest in which to heal, my husband and I visited my cousin on Salt Spring Island. After that visit, we thought island life might be the answer. But Salt Spring Island felt too big. My cousin suggested that we island-hop. We hopped from Salt Spring Island to Mayne Island.

It had been pouring all day. As we docked, the sun broke through the clouds.

"This is it. We've found our new home," my voice was full of sunshine.

"Don't you think we should finish docking and look around a little, first?" Ever the level-headed realist, my husband required more convincing. 

'Abby there to greet you' ldyck

Now, nineteen years later--this very month--our roots are planted deep in sandy Mayne Island soil.

'Nature's beauty, nature's fragility' ldyck

Next post:  'In the Wind' 
--a poem inspired by a walk with Abby (my dog)
Published on Sunday, May 27 at 5 PM PST

'Mayne Island beauty' ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

A New Reality (short story) by Leanne Dyck

My mother--like many parents with a disabled child--had to come to terms with my disabled. While considering what it must have been like for her, I wrote this short story.

'a flower for mom' photo ldyck

A New Reality

Emily and I went back and forth--one time our house the next hers. This time it was our house. You kids were outside playing. I poured the coffee and we munched the cookies I'd baked earlier that morning.

"These are good." Emily finished her first and took another.

"It's a new recipe. Do you want it?"

"Sure, but mine won't be this good."

"We each have our talents."

"Did you ever find out what's wrong with Lauren?"

We were usually blunt with each other. We were more than friends, more like sisters. But somehow this time her words stung. "What's wrong with her?"

I guess she didn't catch my tone. "Yeah, ears, nose or--?"

"They think she may have a learning disability. They called it dys-lex-c-a." It was the first time I used that word; it was the first time I assigned that label to you.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Sorry? Why she's not dead." My words were crisp. Embarrassed, I took a breath, forced a smile. "It's just a temporary setback. She'll get help; she'll get over it; she'll be fine."

Emily offered me a smile. "Of course, she will."

I didn't understand. Dyslexia--the whole thing was so new to me. New and different. I didn't want different. I never wanted to stick out. I was worried what other people would think, say. But you are special. You've always been. And special is good, exciting. A mother wants life to be easy for her child. Your life was never easy. But steel is forged by fire.

This short story is dedicated to my mom--and other women like her.

'Mayne Island beauty' photo ldyck

Next post:  19 years ago this month my husband and I moved to Mayne Island. Next Sunday, I share how I found the island, how we decided to move here and tips on moving to a rural island.

'petals under her feet' photo ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Blue Skies (short story) by Leanne Dyck

photo by ldyck

A hand like a vise around my wrist. I'm sinking. Down, down, down I go--into his pit. Bones. Rot. Decay. There he keeps me for days, months, years. 

What is time without sunlight? 

How I hunger for something more.

"Show me the world," I beg.

"This is it. This is all. The world is dirty, dark, sad." 

But I remember... Blue skies. Bird songs. Fragrant flowers. The smell of rain. Buds on trees. Soft green grass. The warmth of the sun. Or was that all a dream?

From up above... The sweet singing of birds... Up above... Past the bones, past the rot, past the decay, to something...something blue. 

Reaching, stretching, jumping, I wrap a hand around a root and pull. I reach even higher and wrap my other hand around a branch and pull. Up, up, up. Soon I'll be free. 

"Hey, what are you doing?" I feel a hand around my ankle. "You can't leave me." He drags me down back into his pit. "It isn't safe up there." He cuts off one of my arms. "This is where you belong." He cuts off the other. "This is all."

Now I'm trapped. Though I try, I can't get away. This pit is my only world.

But...but blue skies, green grass, flowers, sunshine, rain... My dreams fill with them. I live in my imagination. And I am free.

photo by ldyck

Next post:  Sunday, May 13 at approximately 5 PM PST
A New Reality (short story)
What's it like to be the mother of a child with dyslexia?
I don't know. I've never been a mother. But I have imagined the feeling in this short story.

photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...