Blue Dahlias Poem by Candice James

© Candice James Poet Laureate Emerita,
City of New Westminster, BC

There were blue dahlias
falling from the sky
into a ring of bright sparkling water
surrounded by black spruce trees.

I sat on a beach
rich with gold frost;
then walked barefoot
amongst pieces of faded driftwood
seaweed silk and milk agates.

I saw footprints slowly dissolving
in a criss-cross pattern of need
Some filling with water,
fading
Some still indented
holding their shape,

Yours and mine
Mine and yours


Tonight I stand at the edge of a purple twilight
polished to a high gloss shine
illuminating the mirrors of my soul.

I gaze into the future of days
And see us walking hand in hand
beneath a backdrop of wine-stained skies

I know our paths will cross again
And our footprints will become one
In these deep gold frosted sands
Beside this ring of bright sparkling water
When the blue dahlias
Fall from the sky once more