Merci/Thank You

 On this day, 131 years ago, Canada was formed. Sadly, this birthday has been marred by 440+ forestfires across the vast expanse of this nation. Multiple times, the skies of eastern North America have sootty smokes from the fires burning in NE Ontario and Quebec.

Overwhelming, the local (often volunteer firefighters) and provincial firefighters, as various provincial governments have been forced to ask for military assistance, in fighting the and evacuating the  remote threatened communities.

Even still, over 220+ fires burn out of control. I fear that this number would be much higher and far deadlier, without the global support that Canada has received. From our Commonwealth sisters (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia),  European Union (France, Portugal and Spain), the United States (federal and state level) and the Americas (Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile and Mexico).

Please forgive me, if I have forgotten any country's assistance. 

For this, I give everyone helping my country, a heartfelt thank you/merci. Knowing, in the past that Canada has shared its resources, globally, in fighting other country's forest/bush fires.

New Beginnings (July 1, 2019)

Not sure 

Why sudden tears 

Fill my eyes. 

Could it be 

A memory 

Of what I've lost 

In gaining this space 

For myself.

Seeking a place 

To call my own 

Without violence. 

Allowing dark memories 

Proper burial

Where they belong.

The past.

As Canada celebrates

It's independence

On July 1st. 

Therisa © 2019

Author's note: July 1st, marks the 13th anniversary of my accidental outing to my mom, after telling her that I wanted the holiday long weekend, by myself. Like usual, she refused to accept the boundaries, I wanted between us. Claiming I sounded depressed. Reality is, I am constantly living my life, depressed. Just that she hasn't noticed this fact of life. Truthfully, I didn't want to be around her, for the holiday weekend. 

Long story short, she rejected me, as her daughter. Sending me into a suicidal depression, which would cause me, my job and apartment. As I moved from Brampton (bedroom suburb) to a Toronto women's homeless shelter. 

I

Since July 3, 2007, I have been living at my current address, which my has visited twice, since then. Acting as a physical and mental boundary for me.

Independence (June 28, 2017)

Freedom

To be different

From others.

Knowing

The burden

It carries

Upon one's soul.

A willing sacrifice

To be paid

Regardless

Of the lives lost.

To do so

Otherwise

Is a slow death

By passive suicide.

As the tears

Flow down

In honour

Of those lost.

Therisa © 2017

Author's Note: On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Canada will be marking it's 150th birthday, as a nation. Have thought of using this poem, as a possible chapter heading on my prose project, A Work, In Progress.