When I Find William
When I Find William
by Joanna Streetly
Westerly News
(Written after the disappearance of an eight-year old boy
from a beach in Tofino. He was presumed to be swept out
to sea when an extensive search failed to find him.)
When I find William
he is standing on my street
in a misty orange pool
of street light,
arms dangling, hair
curly with leaves
and I gather him
up,
loving him as I
try not to run
The candle burns
nightly in my window
as if I can lure him
like a moth
as if I will find him
on my morning
doorstep, crumpled
a modern-day match girl.
But he is never
crumpled when I find him.
His eyes shine through
the salal,
seeking out
my eyes—a boy raccoon
red jacketed, same
white stripes,
weight
shifting hand to hand
assessing my intentions
my honour
At the beach
I find him
in a cave, drawing pictures
on the walls,
prince of a
magnificent sandcastle,
not
in a tidepool
face down, jacket
sodden,
surf grass
for hair, anemones
for a pillow
I will find him
every day,
on every walk
and every night
he will come to
my candle
And he will never be lost.
— Joanna Streetly