Some highly expressive and intensely descriptive words were spoken at Portage la Prairie City Hall this week in answer to a challenge. Author Terrie Todd was the speaker, and shares what it was about.

"National poetry month in Canada is April," explains Todd. "For the last several years they've put out a challenge to cities across Canada to have a poet come and give original poetry reading either at a city council meeting or some other public event. So, Mayor Ferris has been keen on participating in that."

Mayor Ferris presents Todd with gift

One of her poems was about her mother.

"That was in honour of Momma's 80th birthday, which I won't say what year that was," laughs Todd. "I've had it on file, but I just thought I would share it tonight and bring her along so that she could hear it again, and let everyone else enjoy it, too."

Norma Klassen's her mother, and responds, "Well, it was really very flattering in a way, because all of the things that she said were pretty positive. Unfortunately, that's not always true, though."

Mayor Ferris presented Todd with some pussy willow branches as thanks, to which Todd replied she's always loved them.