a u-shaped walk in the springtime of Regina

in that simple expression of what this has become
sipping a Timmy’s on the way up Albert
burrowing my way into this “culture” – crossing the corners
of a busy intersection of bustling vehicles
even when it’s 3 degrees and dropping
boys on bikes, and beer, and business abound

unlicensed fireworks exploding above in a wind-swept
evening sky
echoing the light sourced from the evangelical airport
beckoning, “come join us, we have plenty of room!”
even if it means crash landings – don’t worry, there’s
plenty of paved runway on this prairie for accommodation

fingers licked by the one and only canine
as if that acceptance was this of my own
springtime destiny
rushing emotions fill my headspace, filtered by
rufus and hawksley and sarah and such
as if to spill out tonight
as if to spit onto this screen this necessary message

when all is illuminated by orange street lights
the essence of the community is masked in gold
might as well be the rose-coloured glassed we see ourselves through
but for tonight, that light is my currency
to purchase fond memories of my experience in this drowsy city.