Our Story
The Seed
We first met as students in the broadcast program at SAIT, where a budding friendship soon grew into something more. As life often unfolds, time, distance, and career paths carried us to different shores.
Nearly 50 years later, a chance encounter reunited our two kindred water signs, bringing the story full circle.
Several meetings at Starbucks soon turned into an exchange of writing samples—and long, spirited discussions about the art of poetry. One conversation led naturally to the next, until the seed of an idea began to take root:
What if…
• every week, for a year, we sent each other an image and transformed it into an ekphrastic poem?
• every five weeks, we wrote from the same image?
• we challenged one another to explore more than 170 different poetic forms?
• we simply followed where the work might lead?
• we even entertained the audacious notion of publishing this collection?
And now, here we are.
With any luck and goodwill, our collection will soon make it to print.
Patricia M Wourms (Gallagher)
As a Cancer, I embrace my introspective side by retreating into my “crab shell” where I enjoys reading novels, writing poetry, and playing in my garden.
I was born and raised in Saskatchewan and my writing is inevitably and hopelessly influenced by the prairie landscape, which I love, and the dynamic people who call it home.
As a graduate of SAIT with a degree in Radio, Television, and Stage Arts, I built a successful career spanning more than 30 years in radio and television—beginning as an award-winning producer (which was a wonderful surprise for just doing what I was paid to do) and later moving into broadcast management. My career led me across the country, from British Columbia back to Saskatchewan and then to Canada’s East Coast, where I spent 11 years in the amazing and scenic province of Nova Scotia. In 2019, I returned back to the prairies and Calgary.
When my extroverted side takes the lead, I can be found socializing with family and friends, playing guitar/singing, attending cultural events, and seeking out new adventures.
Randall M. Thomas/r&all
I'm an anti-hero in a spec-fic saga about technological changes which
manifest in a more & more rapidly eroding society; but aren't we all?
As a Pisces, I am not one fish but two fish, to swim in opposite directions to balance the pull of the tides to end beginnings & begin endings to subvert reality by artifice & by myth to hear without being told & to know.
I've been writing since high school and while it's stuck with me all this time, life's roads diverge. I chose those less traveled, making time for service in the Communications Reserve, shipping/receiving at a record warehouse (imagine a semi-trailer full of Captain Fantastic), four+ decades in the television industry, mountaineering, club & tournament Scrabble©, a BFA in Art (for art's sake), editorial stints for fanzines, newsletters, literary arts, my own writing projects, workshops and retreats.
Our Water Signs
Pisces & Cancer
These two water signs have a lot in common. They’re both introverted, emotional, and intuitive. Both are incredibly loyal to their friends and loved ones. They’re artistic and creative, valuing the arts. Their differences are slight: Cancer is a bit more of a homebody than Pisces, but introverted Pisces is happy to stay at home and immerse their imagination in a movie or book.
Cancer is also a bit more practical than head-in-the-clouds Pisces, who can get so caught up in their thoughts that they forget day-to-day stuff. Pisces and Cancer are the same element; four signs apart from each other. Astrologers call this a trine, and it’s associated with supportive, good energy.
These two are a natural pair, whether as friends, family members, romantic partners, or business colleagues. They have a ton of interests in common and share creative hobbies.
Source | Cosmopolitan Magazine | 5 January 2024
PISCES THE FISH
Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical
Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim or a martyr
Pisces likes: Being alone, love, sleeping, music, romance, swimming, spiritual themes
Pisces dislikes: Know-it-all, being criticized, the past coming back to haunt, cruelty of any kind
Pisces are very friendly and often find themselves in company of very different people. They are selfless and always willing to help others, a very fine intent for as long as they don’t expect anything much in return. People born with their Sun in Pisces have an intuitive understanding of the life cycle and form incredible emotional relationship with other humans on the basis of natural order and senses guiding them.
They are characterized by empathy and incredible emotional capacity, but only if they keep their boundaries strong and don’t let outer emotions overwhelm them.
Ruling planets of the sign of Pisces are Neptune & Jupiter and intuition is the strongest suit of their kind. Connected to art, music, and any sort of liberal expression, every Pisces representative has a talent they need to use to feel creative and free. Tolerant and compassionate, they could do too much for other people out of good intentions, forgetting about their own wellbeing in the process.
Source | www.zodiacsign.com
CANCER THE CRAB
Strengths: Tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive
Weaknesses: Moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure
Cancer likes: Art, home-based hobbies, relaxing near or in water, helping loved ones, a good meal with friends
Cancer dislikes: Strangers, any criticism of Mom, revealing of personal life
Deeply intuitive and sentimental, Cancer can be one of the most challenging zodiac signs to get to know. They are very emotional and sensitive, and care deeply about matters of the family and their home. Cancer is sympathetic and attached to people they keep close. Those born with their Sun in Cancer are very loyal and able to empathize with other people's pain and suffering.
Guided by emotion and their heart, they could have a hard time blending into the world around them. Being ruled by the Moon phases of the lunar cycle deepen their internal mysteries and create fleeting emotional patterns that are beyond their control.
They are quick to help others, just as they are quick to avoid conflict, and rarely benefit from close combat of any kind, always choosing to hit someone stronger, bigger, or more powerful than they imagined. When at peace with their life choices, Cancer representatives will be happy and content to be surrounded by a loving family and harmony in their home.
Source | www.zodiacsign.com