My Grandfather

took
a black umbrella
when he walked
to town,
but when it rained,
he didn’t put it up
but kept
it down.

And
when he died,
my grandmother said,
“He never used a cane
but took
a black umbrella
for the rain.”

EBO

Pals

Charles is my pal,
I’m his chum.
But Charles chews cherries
and I chew gum.

Charles plays checkers,
I like to chat.
Charles chases chipmunks,
I chase the cat.

Charles has chickens,
I keep bees.
Charles likes chips,
I chose cheese.

Charles chews cherries,
I chew gum.
But Charles is my pal
And I’m his chum.                  

EBO

Chickadee, January, 1988

Wind in my Pocket,  Breakwaters Books, 1990

Wind Dance, Scholastic Canada, 1999