November (poem) by Leanne Willetts Dyck

"November," a poem about what a bad rap November has to endure.

photo by ldyck

November

November did try.

She filled her skies with blue.

She let the sun shine.

Still, people shared poems

about dull November days.

But July told November,

"People need moody days too."

photo by ldyck

Guest Post: A. J. Willetts (my dad) an advocate for world peace

A story for World Kindness Day—November 13

Today's Marching Orders

one act of kindness

-written at 5:04am on Monday, November 9, 2026

photo ldyck

On this blog in November

Sunday, November 1

The Unfit

(part 2)

the history of disabled Canadians

Sunday, November 8

November (poem)

a poem in praise of November

Sunday, November 15

Book Review: All The Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 

(historical fiction)

...set during the Second World War, is about a short boy with a huge heart who tried to do what he thought was right and a blind girl full of courage who did what she could.

Sunday, November 22

DisAbled Advocacy: Sharing Our Truth (essay)

(part 1)

the history of the disabled advocacy in Canada

New content is published on my blog 

every Sunday at 

4:40 PM (ish) Pacific Time.

Jealousy (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Who is man's best friend? And what happens when this friendship is threatened?

photo by ldyck

Jealousy

He had the audacity to bring her here, to our home.

And she... And she called me "cute" and gave me a few pats. Her bony hand on the top of my head. She thought she could win me over with a few nice words and a show of affection.

Well, I would have none of it.

I tolerated her in front of him. But when I was alone with her, I growled and snapped. I drove her away, and I'll do the same to you. This is our home. We're happy here. He doesn't need you. So leave us alone. You're not wanted here! Leave! Now!

written on June 9, 2026

"A Rabbit in a Hat" was written in appreciation for the readers of my short stories.

A Rabbit in a Hat

The magic occurs

when you believe

the rabbit disappeared.

Your belief

creates the magic.

photo by ldyck

On this blog in September

Sunday, September 6

to

Sunday, September 27

Being Heard

a four-part article about the history of women voting Canada 

(other wise known as the Canadian women's suffrage movement) 

I Would (poem) by Leanne Dyck

A fun, tongue-twisting poem and the ancient poem it inspired

photo by ldyck

 I Would 

I would.

if I could.

But I can't

so I won't.

Would you

if you could?

If you would,

go

do.

written May 2026

I wrote this poetry review in 1987 for the University of Winnipeg’s Children’s Literature course.

I would if I could

If I couldn’t, how could I?

I couldn’t, without I could, could I?

Could you, without you, could ye?

Could ye? Could ye?

Could you, without you could, could ye?

I love the nonsense of this traditional Mother Goose nursery rhyme. It seems to flow in a silly fashion, begging to be told. It gives far more in fun and frolic than it ever demands of the listener. It does, however, have a message: that it is silly and unnecessary to think too much. I agree wholeheartedly with its unmistakable logic.

photo by ldyck

My friend and fine artist Jody Waldie at her recent art show on Mayne Island.

Terrill Welch Gallery Spotlight on artist Jody Waldie

by Terrill Welch

September 25, 2022

A Secret Message Everyone Could See (poem) by Leanne Dyck

 A dear memory of a mother's love.

photo by ldyck

A Secret Message Everyone Could See

My mom cradled my hand in hers.

With the finger of her other hand,

she wrote letters

in my palm.

I

L

O

V

E

Y

O

U

A secret message

that only I could feel,

but everyone else

could see. 

"selfie" by ldyck

(My neighbour Kathy gave me this beautiful flower.)

My summer reading list...

Remarkably Bright Creatures

by Shelby Van Pelt

An octopus forms a special relationship with a lonely senior citizen.

Lent to me by a friend

read

The Ultimate Sadness of Small Appliances

by Glenn Dixon

A brief book blurb by the author

Purchased online

read

A Dog's Journey

by W Bruce Cameron

Explores the special relationship between a dog and their human.

Thrift shop find

read

The Mystery Guest

by Nita Prose

A famous writer is found dead. Why? How? Who?

The second book in the Molly Maid series.

Yarn sale find

read

Homer's Odyssesy

by Gwen Cooper

The remarkable adventures of a blind cat.

Given to me by a friend

reading

Searching for Terry Punchout

by Tyler Hellard

Ordered online

to be read

Summer of My German Soldier

by Bette Greene

Ordered online

re-read (I read this book for the first time when I was in junior high.)

All Of Me (poem) by Leanne Dyck

This mindfulness poem is about self-compassion.

beach art—artist unknown

photo by ldyck

All Of Me

I can be gentle and strong.

I can be strong 

without anyone knowing

 how strong I am—

not even me.

It's okay

if not everyone likes me.

The important thing,

the very important thing,

is to like myself.

I’m an unknown.

a surprise.

And as always...me.

I lay claim to my gentle magic.

I’m slowly learning

to love myself,

all of me.

On this blog in JuLY

Sunday, July 26

Claudia

This short story was inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's relationship with Sherlock Holmes.

On Mayne Island...

On Saturday, July 18, the Agricultural Society Hall on Mayne Island was full of inspiration and creativity and talent and... It was stuffed full of quilts. And people. So full that I had to step outside for a breather. And that's where I found...

Kate Herring had a table full of purses and hats and a whole lot more. The quilt show is over, but Kate still has some of the hats and purses. Give her a call, and maybe—if you're lucky—you can still shop. Believe me, I could have bought all the items on the table.

Congratulations to organizer Pam Withers and the women of the Mayne Island Quilter's Guild. So glad I could attend. Thank you, Deb, for your wheels.

You Knew (Poem) by Leanne Dyck

She said, "I really enjoyed reading your poem."

"Thank you, but I don't write poetry." I told everyone, including myself.

But lately...

photo by ldyck

You Knew

I knew I wasn't.

You told me I was.

I thought I wasn't.

You insisted I was.

I explained that I wasn't.

You showed me I was.

And now I see

That I might be...

A poet.

Written in February 2026.

More Poems

Please click on this link to read more of my poems. 

I'll be delighted if you do. 😊

Submit to the 2026 CBC Poetry Prize!

April 1 to June 1

On this blog in May

Sunday, May 3

"Playmates" (memoir)

a tribute to three cousins.

Sunday, May 10

"Pregnant" (memoir)

Inspired by imagining how my dad reacted to my mom suspecting she may be pregnant with their fourth child—me.

Sunday, May 17

"Like Him" (memoir)

As a dyslexic student in the 1960s, school definitely had its challenges. Some were academic. Others were interpersonal.

Sunday, May 24

"CGIT"

Groups have shaped many aspects of my life. I had a fourteen-year career as an Early Childhood Educator caring for groups of children. In my twenties, I became a Katimavik participant and volunteered in three eastern Canadian provinces. And when I was twelve, I joined CGIT. What's CGIT? Well...

Sunday, May 24

"Don't Worry"

Written with much thanks to a friend who helped me believe in "happy ever afters."

Good People in the World

My brother-in-law Tim and his wife Carol travelled to BC from Saskatchewan for a

Bouquet (Poem) by Leanne Dyck

Witness the magical transformation as a pile of weeds becomes a bouquet of flowers...

photo by ldyck

Bouquet

He pulled the fuzzy-headed weeds

one by one by one

from the soil.

He wrapped his chubby little hand

around the bundle

of stems.

With a smile,

he presented the dandelions

to his mother.

She filled a vase

with them,

treasuring them

as flowers.

Dandelions: The Good and the Bad by Tracey Etwell

On Mayne Island

photo by ldyck

Mayne Island's shiny new dock.

photo by ldyck

The best news about the shiny new dock: the ferry schedule is back to normal. So the first sailing has been moved back to 7:10 am—from 6:40 am. This is really good news, especially with regard to these next week, as I'll be on the ferry a lot.

Items of interest for writers and readers...

Writing Lessons (poem) by Leanne Dyck

This poem is titled 'Writing Lessons.' I'm not extremely happy with the title. I'd rather

 something like, 'This is what I learnt about writing. It's what works for me. It's what I want

 to remember. It may work for you too. Or it may not.' 'Writing Lessons' is just shorter. 

Abby demonstrating the correct method for drinking from a pond.
photo by ldyck

Writing Lessons

In order to grow
As a writer,
You need to be courageous.
Enough to try something new

You need to be brave.
Enough to risk 
the possibility of failure.

You have to realize that not everything
That flows from your pen.
Will be gold—
And still have fun.

Have fun writing.
It makes everything easier.

written in February 2026.

On Mayne Island

photo by ldyck

Items of interest for writers and readers...

Poet Tea reviewed...
What I learned at this year's Poet Tea...

A Love Letter (poem) by Leanne Dyck

Years ago, I wrote this as a piece of prose, but I always thought it could be something more. A couple of months ago, in February, I transformed the prose into verse. What do you think? Happy poetry month!

photo by ldyck

A Love Letter

We have always had a special relationship.

When we met, you wooed me with your clever tricks.

You were never the same way twice.

Sometimes your ‘b’ looked like a ‘d.’.

Sometimes your ‘p’ looked like a ‘q.’.

I was surprised that you didn’t entertain everyone in this manner.

Our relationship grew

and I learnt that you could be collected in a group.

I was informed that

this group was read as a word.

Ah, how your words danced

before my eyes.

Sometimes ‘w-a-s’ danced.

How it waltzed.

How it jigged.

How it jived.

Watch it now

as it twists into ‘s-a-w.’.

Amazing!

Thrilling!

Yet you only danced for me.

Your behaviour does make our relationship challenging. 
Words dance before my eyes.
Sometimes I’m forced to guess at your intent.
You are always a puzzle, a surprise.

You intrigue me.
You entertain me.

You embarrass me.
Do you remember the time I was reading you
to a group of children?

I thought we were having a merry time
until
one of the children stopped me.
It seems you had fooled me,
but you hadn’t fooled the child.

Never mind,
it was long ago,
and I have forgiven you.

It doesn’t matter to me
that your relationship
with others
is easier
and more harmonious
My passion for you
grows
stronger
every day.

16 Poetry Book Publishers

On this blog in April

New content is added to this blog 

every Sunday 

at approximately 4:40pm (Pacific Time). 

April is poetry month.

So I will be sharing 

one of my poems

 every Sunday

to celebrate.

On Mayne Island

photo by ldyck

Terrill Welch Gallery Pod 

428 Luff Road

Art and nature connecting one brushstroke at a time. 

Large and small acrylic paintings by internationally collected landscape painter 

Terrill Welch (from the pamphlet)

photo by ldyck

I began my tour in Terrill's pod, which is located close to her home. 

Paintings are attractively displayed on four walls in this inviting space.

photo by ldyck

I followed these helpful instructions and found...

photo by ldyck

I know it looks like Terrill is outside,

but we're not.

She has skillfully captured nature and brought it inside.

photo by ldyck

There's much more to discover. I encourage you to visit Terrill's gallery pod. 

Open daily 11 am to 4 pm PT

She's a warm, inviting, and very talented artist who I am proud to call a friend.

Items of interest for writers and readers...