the week

in the trees
 flocks
 in the ottawa sky,
more flocks
 flocks at the national gallery of canada 
i went along with the art club and art classes
from my school
we saw the monet show,
the rideau center for lunch (good indian food)
and shopping (best forgotten)
an imax film at the museum of civilization
and got home late tuesday.
 guarded by mamon
 and another great one.
and wednesday i went to the tiny ogdensburg airport
and picked up hannah
 for thanksgiving
 a knitter is in the house
she brought wool to touch and smell...
she's knitting wool and having tea, 
i'm weaving paper and having tea,
 and she asked if i knew how to make bento bags.
i asked if they are the same as horn bags.
tsunobokuro.
 so using some old sheeting
i'd dyed with indigo and rust
we each made our own.
she was impressed by my stitching,
i by her enthusiasm.
an equal exchange.
 and i had my birthday. 
i am 59. 
wow, i've lasted a long time!
there was a small box with a huge surprise.
 another present
(the knitter queen brought me two knit garments!
and a woven shawl!)
 paper and indigo and walnut and silk and 
 a promise to hold on to
 a wave of shifu!
 glory!
 the setters and my partner and his daughter and her partner
 and hannah and me
all went walking at the new place
we call home.
 the beeches hold their leaves,
clinging to the last year.
 while these three 
 examine secrets in yesterday's overcast.
thanksgiving and my birthday
two days apart.