The Flowery Brook

I told my friend Channah that I would meet her in the Flowery Brook, but because it looked like rain we decided to meet in our usual place, the Green Shade Pavilion at the Chinese Garden

I arrived early and sat down at the little stone table in the shelter of the open air pavilion. This is the same place where last year a group of haiku poets led by Rick Schnell from Vermont came to Montreal and we met for a day of readings and good conversation. The echoes of so many poets and their haiku must still linger, because I was inspired to write a few of my own as I waited for Channah.

longing--
a little sparrow
in search of food


*

Darwin--
before meeting him
just a city in Australia


*

mid-summer
rain and more rain
his smile is the sun

*

like Eve
I give in too easily
to suggestion

Since it was now 8a.m. and Channah had not arrived, I decided to head off on my own.

in the gazebo
I leave her a note: meet me
in the flowery brook


It had started to rain heavily by now, but even so I couldn't help admiring the lilies' vibrant colours.



When I finally looked up, I saw Channah rushing toward me on the path.

in our excitement
to view the lilies
we share
the same umbrella
and both get wet



oh, to be a duck
she exclaims
as we stand
admiring lilies
in the downpour

*
wandering
through the lilies
so easy
to give in
to excess



my ink spreading
in the rain
the colours
of lilies
stain my eyelids



After our brief, wet visit to the garden, Channah and I parted until the next time. On the metro home, I noticed a poster about the Montreal Planetarium and learned that this is the International Year of Astronomy.



International
Year of Astronomy--
paying more attention
to stargazer
lilies





Later in the week I received this email:



Angela,

Here is the haiku I wrote in the gardens.

Hot summer showers
Caught in woven strands of webs
One raindrop quivers

How truly healing this was for me... In the wholeness of rain... we are all still one drop that quivers, fragile, unique and beautiful.

All the best,
Channah

(This blog post was originally written in July, 2009)