Grade One by Heather Hendry

July 25, 2022
Poet name: Heather Hendry Poem name: Grade One Poem: big sister to a baby boy who cries like a seagull black braid uncut helicopters around her head lavender a favourite colour makes her sneeze lost mermaid shells fill her pockets under a tornado of birds long legs black panther speed race me to pet the ocean End of poem. Credits and bio: Copyright © Heather Hendry Previously published in Sea & Cedar Magazine (Winter Edition 2022). Heather Hendry is a school teacher and Tofino’s Poet Laureate 2022-2024. She lives in Tofino, BC, on the unceded traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Her work has appeared in Sea & Cedar Magazine and Van Isle Poetry Collection. “Grade One” is included in her forthcoming chapbook: Handmade Binoculars. The chapbook is a snapshot of her year teaching in-community supporting Nuu-chah-nulth students in Opitsaht and Esowista. She shares her passion for writing through her creative writing club at Wickaninnish Community School. She loves to surf and wander her local beaches. Follow her @heatherhendry & @tofinopoetlaureate