Janis La Couvée
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lacouvee.bsky.social
Janis La Couvée
@lacouvee.bsky.social
4.2K followers 2.7K following 3.4K posts
Writer and poet with a love of green spaces, dedicated to conservation efforts in Campbell River. Likʷal̓a language learner. Words in Book of Matches Isele Magazine, PaddlerPress AntiHeroinChic, among others. janislacouvee.com
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lacouvee.bsky.social
thank you to @fahmidanjournal.bsky.social for the awesome mentorship opportunity, and this anthology of work from the mentees. My piece is "your ancestors did not persist for you to give up now". www.fahmidan.net/fahmidan-ina... #mentorship #GenZ #writersover45 #amwriting #WritingCommunity #litmags
Graphic of the Fahmidan Journal Special Mentorship Issue April 2025. Contributors: Susan Haufleigh, Johannah Simon, Lynn Summer, Rola Elnaggar, Micah Scheff, Laura Tate, Jordan Alejandro Rivera, Gabi Hurd, Janis La Couvée, Fariza Farid. your ancestors did not persist for you to give up now take heart, dear ones there is light and hope, love and joy at the end of a road which seems long and dark lean on wisdom transmitted through generations as simple as the pie dough you are rolling as complex as knowing wind, tide, current the best spots for fishing what to do in lean years how to work together, collaborate celebrate community and family each of us, a link in the chain a strand in the web a fibre in the rope joining us as one – a breathing unit in tune with the earth and universe breathe – in and out, ike tides on the shores rush and roll, clatter of rock in tune with our heartbeat. what the old ones knew – we hope to find a talisman and help against hard times stores of resilience
May 4, 2025 at 12:18 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
My dad spent six years in Europe and North Africa fighting fascism so I could vote - unhindered. No armed militia, no one turning me away because of my sex, skin colour, religious affiliation, lack of "proper" papers. Simply a polite line that moved slowly to the Elections Canada official. #elxn45
an Elections Canada office with two posters outlining the special ballot voting procedure and a big yellow circle with the words "vote" along the circumference. #elxn45
April 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Publication alert! Thank you to WordStorm Society of the Arts for publishing my poem "Connections" in Counterflow 4 "Phrases for the Future". Thanks also to @rlayberry.bsky.social for the conversation that inspired this poem. #SkyPoets #BskyPoets #PoetryCommunity
www.wordstorm.ca/_files/ugd/2...
How to weave a net, strong enough to hold through pandemic and drought, forest fire and earthquake, climate change and sea rise, cataclysm and catastrophe, illness and uncertain economic times. Take a strand, join it to another, build the first link. Wave to the neighbour watering their lawn at dawn, put out a bowl for thirsty dogs on a walk, bring cookies to the family next door, remember the names of children, rejoice in the new car, camper and boat, offer tomatoes and zucchini relish, share the apple harvest, dig deep and remember, we are all connected. What appears to unravel in uncertain times, can be repaired, can be strengthened, will hold when needed. Begin, wave to the neighbour at dawn.
April 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
thanks for the heads up Matthew - what does this even mean?
We Unify is an independent and nonpartisan volunteer organization that confronts deep-rooted challenges in democracy while defending against new threats. We are working towards a more open and just democracy that is resilient in the face of change and worthy of the people’s trust. We champion the leaders and organizations who defend democracy and support partners and ideas from across the political spectrum in pursuit of fair elections, vibrant debate, effective and accountable government and a more inclusive society.
February 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
go to - bsky.app/lists - you'll see that you don't have any, BUT, you can create one. Say "favourite writers". Then you go to the profile of one of your favourite writers & where you see the three dots - if you click - it will say "add to lists", "block, mute, report". If you click "add to lists" ⬇️
February 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Canada is not unilaterally a land of snow & ice. Vancouver Island gets little, except in mountains of the range that runs down the spine. Snow pack is, however, essential in our dry summers. Past two years we've had extreme drought because of a lack of winter snow. This year - looks good. #CanadaSky
a snow scene - in the garden against a fence is a gardening bench with pots on the lower shelf. There is 7 inches of snow on the bench and a snow shovel propped up against it. Willow trees frame the picture.
February 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Did you know? US civil servants sign an "oath of office" that states "I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; 🧵
February 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Poets - don't be discouraged. Sometimes taking a poem in one form and reworking it creates magic. At the Estuary was submitted 9 times before I transformed it into a pantoum and submitted 5 more times. The wonderful Book of Matches picked it up.
False start to spring distant mountains dusted by late-season snow at the estuary wind caresses water, sets the waves to dancing gulls hover, buoyed by off-shore breezes distant mountains dusted by late-season snow birds squabble, battle over scraps of fish gulls hover, buoyed by off-shore breezes rotting sea urchins uncovered by the tide birds squabble, battle over scraps of fish breathe deep—air redolent of brine and sulphur rotting sea urchins uncovered by the tide breezes tug and pull breathe deep—air redolent of brine and sulphur overhead eagles soar, herons skim the beach breezes tug and pull summer will soon be here breezes tug and pull at the estuary wind caresses water, sets the waves to dancing summer will soon be here false start to spring a dark stormy day at the estuary of Willow Creek - waves scudding to the beach, gravel beaches on each side of the creek, in the near distance Quadra Island and on the horizon many of the Discovery Island. The sky is full of clouds. Tones are grey, light grey and almost black. It is bleak but dynamic.
January 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
www.wordstorm.ca/publications. I was already pretty stoked to be featured last year in "Restorvolution" with a poem about finding hope in the many small actions of a host of volunteers working on restoration projects in local watersheds. www.wordstorm.ca/_files/ugd/2...
Hope Hope is the thing with feathers Emily Dickinson Hope is—Tom, at the estuary of Willow Creek, planting red osier dogwood, alder and willow, cutting back blackberry, mulching and watering tender native species, here on the site of an old garage and dump, before that— village of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ people, who fished and gathered, cultivated an orchard, lived for generations in abundance Hope is—school children, reverent in the forest, listening to woodpecker, blue jay and chickadee the soft rustle and sigh of branches, today they learned to dig a hole, plant bushes and shrubs, trees that will grow tall and bushy, one day they’ll return to show their families— you can make a difference Hope is—streamkeepers at Simms Creek, clearing debris, releasing salmon fry, waiting in anticipation of a fall return, counting spawning fish, joyful—it’s the best year in ages Hope is—Indigenous Guardians reviving cultural knowledge weaving fences to keep out Canada geese, protecting eel grass and sedges, caretaking the land and water Hope is—a legion of volunteers and staff working on restoration projects big and small confident their efforts will change the lands and waters Hope is—a revolution made of repeated collective actions
January 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
the rare ice formation called "hair ice" the result of a fungus-Exidiopsis effusa - and it's effect on ice formation on dead hardwood. Found at 0 C between 45° and 55° N. This was on our hike near Campbell River (50° N). #VancouverIsland #natureisbeautiful #nature #naturephotography
white filament like strands of hair ice with moss and Douglas Fir needles - magnified at 4x.
January 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
golden hour along Litǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ (Discovery Passage) in Campbell River ƛəmataʔax̌ʷ at the 50th parallel, Vancouver Island with the Coast Mountains in the background and the Discovery Islands in the foreground #seascape #landscape #VancouverIsland #GoldenHour #landscapephotography
looking east, as the sun begins to set and illuminates the snow covered Coast Mountains in the distance, you can see the bulk of some of the Discovery Island at the horizon. The water is lightly rippled with a band of dark shore - there are different bands of blue. A quiet tranquil blue sky evening.
January 26, 2025 at 6:54 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
am I imagining things? Did the little "repost" image just show up in notifications? So, you can now scan for it? It hasn't made its way to the top bar, like "mentions" - yet.
a repost image of two arrows almost joining to form a square.
January 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
late afternoon sky, Discovery Passage, Campbell River
it is a moody day in late afternoon at low tide - the beach below the sea grass is cluttered with large driftwood logs and many rocks and boulders along the sand. The sky is full of cirrus clouds with a few cumulus scudding on the far horizon. The water is dark grey. In the distance you can see the outline of islands.
January 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
thank you to @antiheroinchic.bsky.social and editor James Diaz for publishing my poem "Strategies for avoiding familial confrontation" in the December 2024 issue. They are on hiatus after 9 years. heroinchic.weebly.com/blog/poetry-... #poetry #amwriting #BlueSkyPoets #poetrycommunity
Strategies for avoiding familial confrontation On days when words become weapons before fists fly or books are flung across the room I slam the door behind me satisfied as the window rattles There’s an art to the perfect door slam – I am master never break glass or splinter wood leave hasp and lock intact My father’s cruel taunts evaporate wisps in the wind I outrun them, outpacing their ability to stick His anger often builds to a peak like superheated liquid in the microwave you reach to take out the cup and it erupts in a mess cascading to the floor, burning skin I don’t want to be the burnt skin 2minutes 50 seconds, no more best leave quickly
January 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
@delicatezine.bsky.social Happy New Year - your link for May 2025 submissions gives me a "access denied" - here's a screen capture.
January 7, 2025 at 3:10 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
and here is the poem inspired by the Willow Creek Estuary, my first publication of 2025 in Book of Matches Lit Mag Issue 13. You can download the full issue here www.bookofmatcheslitmag.com/post/issue-1...
#PoetrySky #BlueSkyPoets #SkyPoets #poetry #poet #litmag
At the estuary, a pantoum False start to spring distant mountains dusted by late-season snow at the estuary wind caresses water, sets the waves to dancing gulls hover, buoyed by off-shore breezes distant mountains dusted by late-season snow birds squabble, battle over scraps of fish gulls hover, buoyed by off-shore breezes rotting sea urchins uncovered by the tide birds squabble, battle over scraps of fish breathe deep—air redolent of brine and sulphur rotting sea urchins uncovered by the tide breezes tug and pull breathe deep—air redolent of brine and sulphur overhead eagles soar, herons skim the beach breezes tug and pull summer will soon be here breezes tug and pull at the estuary wind caresses water, sets the waves to dancing summer will soon be here false start to spring cover of Issue 13 of Book of Matches Literary Magazine - a fantastical Asian-inspired fire dragon curls around the dark trunk of a cherry tree in bloom.
January 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Happy New Year 2025. May the coming year be filled with hope and joy, love and laughter, good health and happiness. #HNY #HNY25

mulən ƛax̌a ʔəʷin̓agʷises λu dəmxsi λu ʔiki
I am grateful for the land, sea and sky

Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ (Discovery) Passage Campbell River Vancouver Island
Happy New Year 2025 - view of Discovery Passage Campbell River Vancouver Island taken in June 2024. The scene is a panoply of blue where ocean, islands and Coast Mountains meld together with the clouds - all is liminal.
January 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
@publishedbyjake.bsky.social @bulbculture.bsky.social and a huge shout out to @fahmidanjournal.bsky.social for accepting me into their inaugural mentorship program for Gen Z and writers 45+ #PoetrySky #BlueSkyPoets #amwriting
image of the Submittable screen with My Submissions in bold
December 31, 2024 at 9:05 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
from the storm-battered east coast of Vancouver Island at the 50th parallel - may your holiday season and year-end be filled with JOY. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa. Light, love and laughter for you and yours. #HappyHolidays
Christmas tree decorations - in the middle a hand-crafted wooden JOY, to the left a small grey mouse on skis, and to the right a stained glass whale.
December 24, 2024 at 4:14 PM
lacouvee.bsky.social
I try to keep the "bragging" to a low level but, in this case, I'll make an exception. A much-rejected poem has just been accepted and will be published on New Year's Day. The Willow Creek Estuary, Campbell River BC - picture-was the inspiration. #poetrycommunity #writinglife #landscapephotography
a stormy day in late November 2022 - the estuary of Willow Creek in Campbell River BC is a small stream between two gravel beaches. Clouds fill the sky, the ocean is full of breaking waves, tipped with white caps. In the near distance, to the left, the tip of Quadra Island at Cape Mudge, and in the far distance among haze you can see the outlines of the Discovery Islands and the Coast Mountains. The sky is cloudy. The entire photo is in tones of blue and grey.
December 23, 2024 at 2:44 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Even on the darkest of days, light finds a way. As we move from the dark into the light, may your holiday season be filled with love and joy, for you and those you hold dear. Happy Solstice. #WinterSolstice #HappyHolidays
a clump of trees, bare branches, silhouetted against the sky. The trees are dark, the sky is blue after a storm and a cloud is tinged pink from the setting sun. It is the Winter Solstice.
December 22, 2024 at 2:19 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
what a difference a day makes on Discovery - soon to be Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ - Passage. Campbell River, Vancouver Island. On the left - today, on the right - yesterday after the storm. #seascape #naturephotography #PNW #VancouverIsland
the sky is blue, clouds mass on the horizon. The sea is calm, slightly rippled with a band of calm water part way where the clouds are reflected. At the shore there is driftwood. In the distance on the left you can see Cape Mudge, the tip of Quadra Island, and further, the Discovery Islands. It is a beautiful winter day after the storm. Near Campbell River Vancouver Island. the sea is frothing after a huge storm. The waves carry giant logs to an already burdened shoreline. The shore curves slighty to the right to form a bay. The storm has passed and among all the clouds you can see bits of blue sky. Campbell River Vancouver Island.
December 16, 2024 at 12:29 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Discovery - soon to be Liǧʷiɫdagx̌ʷ - Passage is a fascinating body of water. Mirrored velvet one day and disrupted waves the next.
a very stormy high tide with loads of logs floating in the water and crashing on the shore that is already filled with driftwood. The storm has passed, the sky is milky blue with bands of cirrus clouds, cumulo-nimbus on the horizon. The shoreline curves to a point in the distance.
December 15, 2024 at 1:28 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
lovely - I like the slight rosy tint. Here's mine.
a tiny Cladonia (cup) lichen magnified 4 x amid moss and needle debris. Often called bird's nest lichen.
December 14, 2024 at 2:54 AM
lacouvee.bsky.social
Happy Friday lovely people - the skies have opened, it's dark and blustery on the east coast of Vancouver Island at the 50th parallel. Perfect day to submit for December 15th deadlines. What about you? #WritingCommunity #PoetryCommunity #VancouverIsland
through a cathedral window it is rainy, dark and grey. You can see houses and above them, a treeline.
December 13, 2024 at 5:37 PM