ONTARIO IN THE GOLDEN DAYS
A WHIFF OF A CHILL ON THE
EVENING BREEZE
MEANS SUMMER IS FADING
AWAY
A HINT OF GOLD HERE AND
THERE IN THE LEAVES
MEANS FALL IS NOW ON THE WAY
THE TREES WILL SOON BLAZE IN
THEIR GLORY
WHILE THE GLASSY LAKES MIRROR
IT ALL
WHEN I COME TO THE END OF LIFE’S
STORY
WHAT I’LL MISS MOST OF ALL IS THE
FALL
William Bedford

CARIBANA!
THE STREETS WILL BLAZE
WITH COSTUMED THRONGS
STRUTTING THEIR STUFF
IN A DAZZLING SHOW
AS THE MUSIC AND SONGS
OF SUN-SPLASHED-ISLES
BRING A TROPICAL GLOW
TO OLD TO.
THE CITY WILL SWAY
TO CALYPSO BANDS
WHEN THE CARNIVAL-OF-JOY
FLAUNTS ITS SPARKLING GOWN
AND ITS JOI-DE-VIVRE IN OLD TO
WHEN CARIBANA COMES TO TOWN.
WILLIAM BEDFORD

I am the hurricane, earthquake and plague purveyor
that spreads death and destruction far and wide
without rhyme or reason.
I am the blinding blizzard, torrential rains and
blistering heat
that wreaks havoc without mercy.
I am the dark side of nature preying on the
just and the un-just, alike
I am the wanton obliterator of hopes and dreams.
I am Vishnu: “Destroyer of [...]

come into the garden
on a warm summer’s night
where the roses are sleeping
in the moon’s soothing light
we’ll stroll on the grass
while the sun is in bed
and the cares of the day
have miraculously fled
we’ll stand in the shadows
at the end of the day
inhaling the aroma
of petals and clay
we’ll bask in the fragrance
of flower and lawn
while the roses [...]

By William Bedford
THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS WENT TO PHILLY
FAR AWAY FROM HOME AND DOME
TO TRY TO BEAT THE GRUNGIES SILLY
AND BRING THE SERIES ‘ TROPHY HOME
GAME FOUR IS ONE WE’LL ALL REMEMBER
FOR A BINGO SCORE AND FLAKY PLAYS
BUT IN THE END THE GRUBBY- PHILLIES
LOST OUT TO THE CLEAN- CUT JAYS
THE SERIES SHUTTLED BACK AND [...]

the distant thunder rumbles
closer
as the lightening zig-
Zags among the scowling
clouds
and the big fat raindrops splatter
the hurrying crowds
but June storms give way to warm
and summery skies
as we look forward to basking
in the all-too-brief sunny hiatus
between the eternal snows.
William Bedford

THE SNOWS OF HOME
winter’s old familiar call as the snows of home blow over all
Snow: In big soft flakes melting on my tongue
Snow: Dressing the naked trees in glittering lace
Snow: blanketing the sleepingfields
Snow: shining pristine white in the pale sunlight
Snow: Crunching like sugar cubes beneath my feet
Snow: Blowing powdery on the ski slopes
Snow: Soggy and [...]