Spring Ephemerals

Spring Ephemerals

They’ve sprung, those tiny little wonders of colour and hope, to dot the drab grasses in purples and yellows and blues. So cute, the spring flowers, clustered in patches around the yard, a sudden proliferation. And they won’t be here for long, we know, so we admire them as much as possible, we acknowledge how something so momentary and small can bring this much pleasure and awe.

Spring ephemerals—that’s the name science gives to these fleeting flowers. I love it when science sounds like art. Ephemerals are plants with very short life cycles, or short periods of active growth, often only growing when conditions are favourable. We see you, spring ephemerals, we humans have our own tendencies, our preferred times to reach for the sky and bloom. Of course, we grow at so many other times, too, through pain, heartache, through the muck of suffering and the gloom of a soul’s winter. We are not ourselves ephemeral, unless you stack us against the grand clock of time, in which case we are but a sip of air, gone before an exhalation.

Spring, with its many ephemeral qualities, is a fitting time to appreciate what ends, and what begins next. Winter ends, though it lingers, like crusting snow in the ditches. Gardening season begins, as does gardening season stress (oops). And creative projects cycle onwards, wrapping up, giving way, burgeoning.

I’ve been lucky this winter to be a part of my friend and inspiration Jenn Grant’s album release tour, Cradled by the Waves. We’ve been to cities all across the country and will finish in early May on Canada’s east coast, in Moncton, Halifax, and St. John’s. It’s been a joyous experience, with good people and beautiful sounds and sights. My role in the show is that of a cosmic connector, activating videos and memories and disco balls. I get to say a few poems and dance a few moves, and I will miss this experience when it wraps up. But then there will be another experience, because life, and art, is like that.

This summer, I’ll be presenting my show Mass for Shut-Outs a few places around the country. I can’t wait. I’ll also be writing and developing some new work. And trying to be a peaceful gardener more than a stressed out one!

Stay tuned.

Tanya

Today is Bandcamp Friday where Bandcamp waives their revenue share and passes the funds directly to artists & labels from any purchases made.

It’s just in time because we just restocked the softcover anthology Words as Representatives! Check out more details below:

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Thanks for reading & see you again soon!

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