Dull and somber are the skies
Our last minute decision to go to Winnipeg
One week before heading down south
This fall of 2018
Gas pump won’t work so find one that does
Geese flying overhead
Crops in the field
We’ve been driving for miles at 110 km/hr
And then the sign says “Construction ends”
When did it start?
Unbelievable
No wonder people are frustrated
Landscape looking barren forlorn
Trees shedded
Most birds gone
Only one combine in field
Now most crops are in the bin
They already had snow
Raining in Lumsden
Now sun shining in as Regina looms
Complete standstill on Ring Road
Don’t follow the gps
And take Victoria Ave to Hwy 1 East
Green cloth covered bales
Sloughs and more bush
Crops are off
We eat our turkey sandwich
Skiff of snow in the ditch
Someone’s woodpile is ready for winter
A long line of wind turbines
Stone house by Moosomin
Five hundred gallon tank
Like we used for purple gas on the farm
Self-propelled sprayer heading for the fields
Elkhorn; we are in Manitoba
And did see a field of elk
First oil derricks by Virden
Lush valleys; trees with leaves
Portage La Prairie may be on a
Major Migration Fly Way
8 degree pretty fall day
Flat farmland surrounds Winnipeg
And now we are in Warren’s kitchen
And my overnight dream:
A woman different than the rest
A nice evening last night
Walked to university pub
Good solid sleep
Warren went to Tim’s for me
Before we were off to his friends
For a four star brunch
Meeting another here from China
Less than a month
Heard stories of a lifetime
From both plus photos
And then a drive through Osborne Village
To the Forks
Walk in the wind and the cold
Through St. Boniface past Marcus’ place
To St. Vidal Mall and a worldly emporium
Home for a lay down
Before bus ride to Olive Gardens with
Best friend cousins
Watch Warren excel at what he does
A ride home for us and he on the bus
Visit before bed
Walk and talk to Tims at 8 am
Phone visit with Sierra & Aya doing gymnastics
Mya with oatmeal playing tickle tickle
Blowing kisses as Barbara fills us in
A Stella’s brunch and a heritage
West Broadway walk
Last visit with good-byes
Portage la Praire
Zero degrees and flurries
And then the slush
And white everywhere
And a car is passing us too close
And loses control
As we brake and watch
The back and forth slide
Until she comes across in front of us
Nose into ditch
And we get by
I had a front row seat
And watched Bob’s great driving skills
We stop for gas to be on safe side
Unsure what’s ahead
Would be a weather advisory day
Half hour out of Brandon
Temperature drops to minus two
But highways still wet
Best is it’s no longer snowing
Scenery like Christmas
White on the evergreens
And then it starts again
Sleet and slush – wind blowing
Sideways snow sticking to the highway
Before Brandon worst is over
By Saskatchewan roads are dry
Snowstorm gone
Dull grey sky and minus three
Safe driving conditions
And closer we come to home
Blue skies, sunset
Migrating geese, antelope in the fields
And I read the whole book
Mastery of Love.
October 2018
ellensagh 