snow boat

forest maples
reaching skyward
then gradually
outward
the origin of the
northern gothic arch
echoed in
arched trusses
from sawn spruce
in-side out-side
blocked at two foot centres
with butternut
to support enclosed perlines
rounded edges
to prevent damage to tarp
fourteen feet wide and
twenty high
and snowing
every day now
in Canada

Dream

enchanting,
being outside in
november with
moss in celebration as
the maples fall asleep
building
through snow and rain
bending frozen spruce
into gothic trusses
the ravens seem interested-
at least
they hang around making
rude comments


the main mast
is off the deck-
but where now?
pondreing,
a luxury
of other seasons
luckily the tractor
seems
mentally prepared

bending time
to build
the sky cradle

The Seawind is cradled
outside my studio window.
If winter could be post-poned,
painting her visage
may have pre-empted
building a shed.

in the woods

Claire
being guided in
for a landing
means
taking back
the shop
from the
accumulations
of some of
the other
directions

maintenance is bliss

Open Stringers

Detachment is required
from the notions
that have proven
misguided-
but seemed plausible
at the time.
Truth as we know it
called into question.
nothing as difficult as
changing one's mind-
let's just let's call it
sending time
on vacation.
and while the mind is
laying on some beach
the senses
awaken
and my boat
will have wheels
on wednesday, so
she may as well have
the stairs I built today
out side on a monday.
it was a good day
every thing worked
but i'v since decided
that the landing
can be pushed further
into the corner-
so it clears the window
i know it's only a
work shop, but
sometimes
the work
is worth
doing
twice

in the divine silence of the image

Luckily, the boat is sinking....
Luckily it isn't even in the water.
The rain has been coming in through chain plates, hatches, ports etc.
for so long that it's rotting out the cabin sole from the bottom up.
Luckily, I had intended to build a wooden boat, so an interior was on the list.
Luckily, the interior is stock, uninspired and so neglected I won't have to agonize
over ripping things out.


Luckily, I cut some big butternut and ash trees down a number of years ago.
Luckily I have a wood working shop... around here somewhere,
with a couple of tons of wood upstairs.
Building stairs is first thing on the list.