Only in Vancouver

Only in Vancouver
do we get away with
Canadian "Winter"
that feels like a Manitoba spring
and an Alberta fall.

The days may
be pastel gray
and wipe the colour of the sky
to the colour of grey goose feathers
smudged in oil pastel blobs,
but I find I quite like
the gentleness of midday
screened in cloud.

And only here do people
take their umbrellas
to shelter from the flying drops
of snow
that touch
the ground and seep
into roots, keeping green
the grass.

I love the sea salt air
blowing and raining,
the drips
that gently soothe
my tired ears
to sleep.