Sunday 30 October 2016

From Loose Leaf to Paperback

Vancouver Writer's Fest at Granville Island


On  Sunday, October 23rd, I attended the Vancouver Writer's fest at Granville Island. During
this event several writers read their work and shared the story behind it. This reminded me of how it felt to work tirelessly on a flimsy piece of paper with my least favourite pencil yet produce something so profound. It's funny to think that this is how most writers get their big break. Seeing the writers read their work for an audience inspired me to share a poem of my own. This one was published in the New Shoots 2014/15 edition.


The Sailboats

I used to travel down to the bay
and watch the pearl white 
sailboats
drifting far away

I marvelled at their brilliance
bright with spirits high
with graceful turns 
they caught the wind
beneath an open sky

I clamoured over
sand and rocks
down to the water's edge
and longed to ride those 
sailboats
too far away to catch

Always a mystery they were 
who let their sails fly?
who'd venture out 
to open sea
and steer the sailboats by?

Long since have I left the bay
and journeyed 'cross the land
the world goes on
for miles and miles
untouched
by tides or sand

I don't remember the cries 
of the gulls
nor the winds that tossed my hair
I can't recall 
the mist on my face
but I'll never forget
the sailboats