…two poplar trees to shiver outside her window, a noise she can sleep against, sleeping trees and sleeping roofs that she grew up with in the east end of Toronto… ~ Michael Ondaatje in “The English Patient”

Under maples, in that season When they lay their golden hands over Anyone who passes underneath,

You two stand, holding hands As if you were just about to waltz Into an upward spiral of time.

I wasn’t present, and yet after These many days when I see Your faces, beatific & beautiful,

The ruby red, the white lilies, Light falling on upturned faces, Something comes loose within:

I bend over to kiss again This ever-miraculous earth!

For H.K & J.K