It starts with one light flake
One weightless parcel that could be ash or a pale insect
They rest upon the air
When the second, then third and then hundreds come, it is
harder to deny the unique way
They surrender to the force of the wind
Unlike leaves, the gentle ice crystals do not fight back
They give in to the embrace of the wind’s continuous motion
Maybe the wind has been waiting for them and now swirls
and brushes with affection
The dance is beautiful
Most people are holding on to the last hours of sleep
Had they known there was snow in the spring
Some may have awoken earlier
The ones who still let wonder into their busy lives
Others cannot see the majesty in such anomalies
They isolate themselves from the world
Their skin has grown thick
Impermeable to the cool tingle of frozen water
Upon their cheeks and hands
Before they can transform
The wind pulls the unnoticed floating flakes to another place
in time
If they fall within season, they might be seen
Avis Blackbird is an author, poet, visual artist, and photographer living in the Pacific Northwest. She is a member of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and the Federation of BC Writers.
Questions and Answers
Is there a specific moment that inspired you to pursue poetry?
I remember as a teenager I would write to process frustration and intense emotions. It took decades for me to return to a place where creative expression empowered me to share my voice again and overcome the things that had been bringing me down. I wrote one poem as an adult and in that moment, I knew that I would never stop.
How/where do you find inspiration today?
I begin most poems while walking outside and breathing fresh air. It helps ground me and let my thoughts out. It is cathartic being outside so I can find hope even when the writing content is heavy.
Do you use any resources that a young poet would find useful?
I find good songwriters inspire me. As fellow artists, many songwriters create emotionally moving poetry that captures mood and tone. I love reading other poets and spoken word artists on Instagram.
As a published writer, what are your tips or words of motivation for the aspiring poet?
Poetry has made me feel power over my own thoughts. My advice is to write for the purpose of expression. The more authentic your voice, the more your audience will respond. And, as a bonus, if you do not find traditional publishing success, hopefully, the creative process will have been a gift in itself.