TWELVE HOKKU ON A CANADIAN THEME
(1)
HOW strangely they float,
Pale gold and ivory cups,
On wilderness lakes.
(2)
The loon’s weird laughter
Holds Indian deviltry,
Long, long forgotten.
(3)
Indian cradle
Swung from bough, rocked by Four Winds:
Christ lay in manger.
(4)
Silver-haired Marquise!
You were transplanted, one Spring,
Into wild New France.
(5)
The sugar maples ...
Benevolent goddesses
Who offer honey.
(6)
Snow-shoes: like strong wings
Bound on the feet of victors
Conquering snow-fields.
(7)
On city pavements
Two muffled, sombre nuns pace,
Behind laughing girls.
(8)
You set narcissus
Amidst your silver birches
By Northern lakeside.
(9)
Five o’clock! You pause ...
Handle frail, old cups, pour tea,
And become grande dame.
(10)
When Loneliness stalked ...
Black panther through gold wheat-fields ...
You used Love’s arrows.
(11)
Puissant woman!...
Sheltering tiny things like
English primroses!
(12)
Fast the new trails lead
From wilderness to city!
Years pass ... Canada!