Photo courtesy Designpics Inc./Michael Interisano.

Morning Prelude

and in magazine issue April/May 2013

through sunrise haze I watch twenty-two blue herons land at the edge of the stubble, stand motionless as if not knowing what to do when away from water and sky aspen leaves dance to a background breeze while frogs strum their chords in a nearby slough in soft diminuendos the herons lift from the field …

Christmas in Alberta

and in magazine issue December 2012/January 2013

Sure is pretty here tonight; excitement in the air, Busy shoppers hustle home through Central Park. The tree must be ten stories tall in Rockefeller Square A million lights are sparkling in the dark. It’s a fast-paced life I’m living–it’s first class all the way! Fancy office, fancy parties, fancy things. “I’m shooting for the …

Hanging Valley

and in magazine issue October/November 2012

We pushed our ponies ‘long the ridge What with the river running deep Current too strong to get across An’ us out scouting sheep We were way up on a hogback Where no trail ever went Getting up near timberline The horses might near spent We cursed the rocks that barred our way And packs …

The Old-Timer

and in magazine issue August/September 2012

He showed up in the springtime, when the geese began to honk; He signed up with the outfit, and we fattened up his bronk; His chaps were old and tattered, but he never seemed to mind, ‘Cause for worryin’ and frettin’ he had never been designed; He’s the type of cattle-puncher that has vanished now, …