Author Archives: janishaag

(for Louise and Bill Johnson, our friends on the 50th parallel in Campbell River, BC) ••• If we ever doubted that we are one world,that we share so much, come stand at, say, the 50th parallel, the circleof latitude that … Continue reading →

The pianist, live and in fine form,does not play “Tea for Two,”though we are two for tea this Sunday at the Empress,the queen of high tea in Victoria.Instead, he’s declaring, with rippling flourishes,what the world needs nowis love, which is … Continue reading →

(Victoria, British Columbia) Painted on the bricksof Bastion Squarethe simple request— MORE JUSTICE— each emphatic letterrendered, perhaps,by a unique hand, showing what’spossible when avariety of humans comes togetherkindly, cooperatively,for a common goal. Turn it into a prayer— MORE PEACE— this … Continue reading →

(for our Canadian friends) ••• As the kids say,it’s been a minute— like two yearsof minutes— since we’ve foundourselves in Victoria, but we’ve once again leftbehind the selves we know to be wreathed inCanadian kindness, trading our dollarsfor loonies, our … Continue reading →

He standson an oyster shell-encrusted rockat low tide in this protected bay,barely a breath of wind,safely surrounded by a shallow moat, while I, a respectful distance away,perch on my own rock and watch himdig that long, sharp bill under a … Continue reading →

(for Monika in Sidney, B.C.) After a supper of fishand chips, our friend walksus through her town to tucked-away footpathsleading to the sea—like streams that barely remember their livesas clouds, their momentsas rain, now melding into saltwater, the sourceof every … Continue reading →

on your heart, peel away skinand muscle and bone to touchwhat the rockstar surgeon saw, feel it flubdub against your palms,turn it over with great tenderness,would your fingers trace the barnacles that have eruptedlike calcified volcanoes? Knowthat they’re more animal … Continue reading →

(en route to Victoria, B.C.) ••• At least a little bit of airplane French,un petit peu Canadian airplane French, which we recognize uponlearning about our delay, which sounds so gentle whendelivered in the language of love: L’avion partira désormais à … Continue reading →

Look up and find the lightas bubbles escape you, as you hang onto the onlystable surface beneath you, despite being tossed by wavesthat have pushed you under. You know where up isby following the bubbles, by aiming for the brighter … Continue reading →

the hell to write, she said.You say, just write, but whatdoes that mean? Grab an image out of your headand put it on the page? OK.A dog. Now what? What do you mean, details?I dunno—just a dog. No,not a specific … Continue reading →