I start with my shadow. It’s not the first thing I notice but it’s a beginning. We arrived in time for the sun to light the entire garden. These are the nice things about being late. 

<singing in Nuu-chah-nulth>

I was told by an Indigenous plant expert that the spring birds sing to help the berries ripen. 

<singing in Nuu-chah-nulth> 

The plant stands in the wind while the west building shade travels closer to me. When I extend my left arm out in a wingspan stretch, I notice the shadows that the creases of my hand create facing up towards the sun. It reminds me of the cedar trees back home on the <______> growing out towards the ocean that reflects light from <_____> holding hands with the sunrays. Everything about these plants are queer. A love story, a promise, a new day.