Where the River Flows: Collected Haiku

By Steve K. Bertrand

Where the River Flows has been inspired by a lifetime of living near the Salish Sea. Through poetry, the book explores the flora, fauna, and life experiences associated with living near the waters of the Pacific Northwest. The poems reflect the ebb and flow of tide as we pass through the various seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter). Like the salmon, an icon of the Pacific Northwest, many of the poems reflect this circle of life, which has intrigued people for centuries. Utilizing a variety of poetic forms, the book contains over two hundred pages of poems about our unique coastal community. It is my hope that you enjoy this exploration of our magnificent region of the world. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984520302

Steve K. Bertrand

For this pictorial history of Paine Field, Steve K. Bertrand has selected more than 200 images from the local community, historical societies, regional libraries, and state archives. He has traced the rich history of Paine Field from its earliest days to its present status as a bustling airport and commercial aviation center. These photographs provide a glimpse into the people and events that influenced this small community in the Pacific Northwest.

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Copyright © 2018 by Steve K. Bertrand.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-9845-2031-9

eBook 978-1-9845-2030-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/16/2018

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For Daren, Kari, Justin, Dylan & Carissa

Where the River Flows

Just exactly where the river

dips, bends & eventually flows,

through fallow fields, forested glens,

no one seems to know; but – circling crows.

"May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back,

the way it is with children."

Rainer Maria Rilke

That flock of geese –

how they navigate sky

as one.

Down the canyon trail –

reluctant mule

& fat woman.

Autumn –

in the garden this morning,

deer droppings.

When apples begin to drop

from orchard –

snow atop distant mountains.

How comfortable,

thistle,

amongst ripened wheat.

Autumn evening –

Stellar jay flies past maple tree,

leaf falls…

The promise of youth,

in time,

replaced with knowing.

Old age –

how strong my spirit,

how vulnerable my body.

Fly trapped

in the attic – trying to buzz

his way out.

The young man –

too good-looking

to be a priest.

Early autumn –

mosquito flits through

my office…

He earned his Master’s degree

copying

the homework of friends.

Peony blossoms –

short-lived the promise

she made to me.

Grandpa’s house –

shadow of pictures that once

hung on the wall.

Deep winter,

deeper yet –

fallen snow.

Homemade tea

on the back porch steeping

in the morning sun.

In the bureau,

perfumed letter from the lover

he used to know.

Halloween –

more candy than

trick-or-treaters.

Dawn –

how starry sky this first day

of autumn.

Snapped string –

boy watches his kite

drift away…

Jungle of Belize –

women bathing

in the Mopan River.

Late August –

cutting back the blue iris

in the garden.

At the railroad crossing,

even the

pigeons waiting…

Spring –

driving the Lowell Road,

how high Snohomish River.

On the side

of a country house – "God is here.

Where are you?"

Neighbor lady

walking her dog –

no poop bags!

Dreaming –

the ghost of a girl

I used to know…

So many people

wandering this earth –

in search of something.

Outside the Les Schwab –

man & his dog

lying in the grass.

Autumn –

atop piling in Snohomish River,

gray heron fishing…

Gazing down

the asphalt road – heat waves

shimmering…

Dawn –

hawk circling above

the autumn canopy…

A slanting rain –

I pull the hat’s brim

over my eyes.

Crow flies by –

drops a wine cork

on me.

Long ago,

memory of butterflies flitting

wildflower meadows…

Arrival of hawk –

how quickly the little birds

scatter!

Mid-morning –

old priest with his newspaper,

tea & cakes.

The silence between my steps –

where I

contemplate God.

She fights depression

& it doesn’t