SPIRIT

ANIMAL

last night I had a vivid dream

I was visited by a falcon

it was a juvenile
I could tell from its plumage

it would alight both on my hands
and on my shoulders

our friendship felt tangible

I woke up
and headed out to meet my friend Chelsey

she was banding horned larks and snow buntings
in the january cold

after everyone had left
this juvenile peregrine falcon swooped down

it flew past at eye level
I had never witnessed this sort of behaviour

well, not in real life

a moment later
it settled on a utility pole right across the road from me

our sudden proximity creating this crazy surreal bridge
between dream
and
reality

months later
the world experienced its hottest summer
ever on record

I was spending a long weekend with my goddaughter
the air turned burnt orange

as the forest fires raged on

but she's just a kid, I remember thinking

I hope her dreams become reality too
some day

I hope falcons will still fly by
and keep a watchful eye

when she grows up

I read that to dream of a falcon in flight symbolizes a yearning for freedom

a desire to soar above life's challenges

and a longing to break free from the shackles of
routine
and
conformity

it represents the untamed spirit within
urging the dreamer to embrace their individuality

and pursue their passions without fear

Being Human
NAIMA PENNIMAN

I wonder if the sun debates dawn
some mornings
not wanting to rise
out of bed
from under the down-feather horizon

if the sky grows tired
of being everywhere at once
adapting to the mood
swings of the weather

if clouds drift off
trying to hold themselves together
make deals with gravity
to loiter a little longer

I wonder if rain is scared
of falling
if it has trouble
letting go

if snowflakes get sick
of being perfect all the time
each one
trying to be one-of-a-kind

I wonder if stars wish
upon themselves before they die
if they need to teach their young
how to shine

in the company of
Alex, Alexandre, Alexandra, Aymie, Audrey, Baptiste, Béa, Bruno, Caitlin, Caro, Cath, Chelsey, Christine, Clara, Claudie & Zoe, Clément & Marie-Charlotte, Coco, Eliane, Elyse, Emily, Eva, François, François, Franck, Fred, Gab & Val, Gabi, Guillaume, Jason, Jérémy, Caro & Zack, Jo, Josée & Charlie, Julie, Julien, Julien & Ann Julie, Kakau, Kirstin, Lalou, Launault, Mael & Alexandra, Martin, Mathieu, Maxyme, Mélanie, Mohammed, Nina & Marcia, Pierre-Antoine, Raphaël, Renaud, Rob & Scarlett, Sara, Sarah, Seb, Shawna, Simon, Simon & Thibault, Smith, Solene, Thomas & Coco, Tom, Vincenzo, Virginie, Will.