TIME OF RENEWAL 

Spring is coming
days are growing lighter
brighter
shadows are shorter 
in the middle of the day
and the warm sun
whispers promises of renewal 

You are leaving us

just as we begin to hope again
just as the earth 
reawakens
from a long cold sleep

We will miss you

Miss the light and warmth
you bring to these drab walls 
and dim hallways
For you shine your light
upon all you touch
like the rays of springtime sun

We honour you today for
the lives you brighten
with the gifts you share

It is a time of renewal


Time for you to go - 
refresh your spirit
with new experiences
refill your soul
with wondrous sights
replenish your body 
with the nourishment
you take in on your journey

Then
just as winter approaches
and the days begin to
grow short and dark again
just as the earth retreats 
into blinding whiteness 
harsh and stark and cruel
just as doubt begins to set in

You will return to us
renewed and rejuvenated
full of rich experience 
and cleansed from a season or two
away

You will return again
to shine your light upon us
to bless us with your warmth
and sunny presence

You will bring 
springtime again
As winter approaches


 
VERNAL REBIRTH 

From the gentle calm 
emerge
	primary shoots of life

verdant promises 
springing forth

	under the urging gaze 
of the sun

bursting upwards
glory-bound

	now free
undeterred

steady promise 
rising unquestioned
	unfettered and bountiful

Earth erupting 
with God’s eternal
vernal promise:

	born again
yes
	born again



SPRINGTONE

I thought I heard my cellphone tweet, 
the sweetest ringtone ever heard. 
I turned to find my phone and found
that tweet came from a real bird!



SPRING HAIKU TRILOGY

Still sleepy snowdrifts
Shimmering silent, softly
Sneaking up on spring

White sparkle-blanket
Winter’s bejewelled boudoir
Waiting ... awaken!						

Happy rebirth-day!
Vernal candles peek through snow
Nature’s birthday cake

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Lori D. Roadhouse is a Calgary poet, writer, aphorist and singer.  She has been a member and supporter of the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, the Red Mile Revenge poets, Passion Pitch Poetry and the Magpie Haiku Poets. She co-created the 2003 Writing Toward the Light Poetry Contest/Poetry Concert.Since 2007, Lori has been a Board member of the Single Onions Poetry Series. From 2008 – 2010 she was co-artistic director, performer and MC of Lotus Land at South Country Fair.She was the 2009 Poet in Residence for Radiant Lights eMagazine. She is a featured reader at a number of poetry and spoken word events and radio programs. She has been published in a  variety of anthologies, magazines, newsletters, websites and CDs. Her recent publications include: Tap Press Read by the Calgary Public Library and Loft 112; POP YYC, the project of Calgary’s recent Poet Laureate, Sheri-D Wilson; The Time of the Poet Republic, curated by Darcie Friesen Hossack and envisioned by Mbizo Chirasha; and the upcoming (M)othering Anthology, to be published by Inanna Publications in 2021.