Acknowledging

 

ARE TIMES A-changing?

Well tonight we in British Columbia, Canada are taking a bold step forward in moving forward our clocks for one last time. Like usual when a change is implemented, there is a surge of negativity which, sadly, seems to be the norm in modern society. It takes a heck of a lot of patience to tolerate negativity; but, with the backbone and determination of progressive thinkers, eventually the naysayers go back into their knolls until something else new comes along.

When it comes to change, I am an optimistic — albeit a cautious optimist. I once had high hopes that Canadians from coast to coast to coast would eventually embrace French-English bilingualism. It did not happen in most of western Canada but it sure feels good to be one who did and does. As a solo, I learned a lot and that’s a plus.

I once had high hopes that the political tide of my chosen political party would rise from the ashes. That was more than 40 years ago. It was a very long haul and massive change to come from zero wins to substantial wins. Then that too changed, and we are now bewitched with no pegs on the provincial political board once again. I learned a lot about people from that changing experience and that’s a plus.

So now this weekend we are supposed to be acknowledging International Women’s Day. I do acknowledge the day. I am a woman and when I compare what is now with what was then, times have changed for some, but progress continues to be slow. In fact progress is not even steady and often times it seems like a solo struggle to keep that light shining in civilized society— even that word “civilized” is an oxymoron when it comes to defining this topic. 

I think the purpose of declaring March 8 as International Women’s Day was to bring civility to society. When it comes to the lives of women and girls, generally, the realist side of me fails to feel civility. The movement started in the early 20th Century! We are now at 2026. Placate comes to mind. Tokenism. Crumbs. It’s best to soar solo like the eagle, rise from the ashes, change course, pave your own road because the intended international goal frightens the very people, locally, provincially and nationally, who can do something about it, with you or for you.

But I digress, or do I? My backbone and determination says: It’s time to change TIMES again, for one last time.

FOR THE LOVE OF POETRY

FOR THE LOVE OF POETRY

Why poetry? I am currently carefully reading Margaret Atwood’s Memoirs in which she spans many details of her entire personal and professional lives. It is very intriguing, interesting and inspiring.  There is one section that I just now read explaining her love of poetry.

I stopped after that chapter because poetry has always been a passion of mine. I can remember back in my high school days, poetry was hardly touched in the curriculum and when it was, it was likely in the month of June when time to cover the curriculum was running out, marks for the year had already been amassed; but, the teacher had to be sure we had something to do. Making poetry sound inspiring or important was difficult for teachers because they themselves had little or no experience nor pedagogical training.

At the time, I could feel a curiosity within me about poetry and a sadness that little time was spent on it. I decided  back then I would make time to figure it out later in life. 

Poetry is just something some human beings do, and I am one of them. I love the rhyme and rhythm type; they are like symmetry , balance, evenness, a mathematical equation in a way. All of those things are just how I love my life to be.

If I step off that balanced path, I feel my time is being wasted, I am heading into an abyss of sorts from which I may never return — swirling and swirling, twisting and turning, gasping for air. It is weird to admit, weird to hear me say it and probably weird for others to hear. My type of poetry and my life are existing as parallels. 

I call my poems ‘gifts to the receiver’ not to turn them into poets nor poetry lovers, but to exercise their minds beyond the distraction of the rhyme scheme. I think it is fair to say whatever time we spent on poetry during our school years was basically limited to identifying the rhyme scheme and memorization. 

Poetry is meant to exercise the mind, to expand our thinking beyond the obvious. It is meant to motivate, intrigue, inspire and interest the reader in ways not like any other. “Stop, Read, Listen, Think, Realise”

The message is likely not obvious nor literal. It may not always be personalized nor personified; it may well be off the paved path, a diversion, worldly, wild and weird. It will definitely be thought provoking and as such intellectually stimulating — if you let it.

For me, poetry is all of the above in addition to a mathematical exercise, a mathematical sentence where what is to the left of the equal sign matches that which to the right. What is to the right, however, is what is left for the reader to fill in. Make it balance.

Embrace it as a new form of playing solitaire. The magic is in how you play your cards.  [Thank you Margaret (Peggy) Atwood]

@MargaretAtwood

SPINNING VOICES

Getting it together means we must listen to our inner voice for guidance as we continue life’s journey, our life’s journey.

SPINNING VOICES

In my world of politics there’s lots of spin

The needed answers come from within

Within the body, the mind and the soul

We must focus on the ultimate goal.

Our lives are like that even as we grow old

We mustn’t allow that path to go cold

Listen to that voice within — every day

She knows what’s best — come what may.

Speak to that voice, feed her your thoughts

Hear that feedback as you continue to walk

It’s nature’s way to block out the negative

And zeros in on what’s truly imperative. 

You and her are what matters the most

She’ll walk you forward rather than coast!

Take a walk in the woods, sit on a trunk

Stretch up your arms, be sure not to slump.

You’ve got what it takes to live life with grace

Feel it in your head, heart, arms, legs and face,

Stay focused on what’s life’s ultimate goal

Love yourself completely in order to feel whole.

Antoinetta DeWit

February 2026