Outdoor Poem

A Winter Walk

Trudging through snowy banks along the lake’s side,
The winter wind swirls around me acting as my guide.
I follow that bitter breeze wherever I am lead,
I gaze down at the footprints where others before me tread.
On the cold lake water, the reflecting winter sun dances,
Each shining gleam catches my eye as the sun continuously prances.
With that frigid lively wind acting as my guide,
I am led beyond the bridge, up a hill, standing on the lake’s side.
Snowy branches act as a canopy over me as my body shivers,
I hardly notice the white flakes falling down, tiny as slivers.
Overhead a ‘V’ of geese flies swiftly against the orange sky,
The sun is starting to set saying its final goodbye.
I turn around to admire the forest behind me,
The temperature is dropping and it is time for me to flee.
That bitter breeze recognizes my concern,
And as I spin around to leave, that breeze, I can also feel turn,
I follow the now hardly visible prints back to where I came,
And to my surprise that swirling wind does the same.
The crinkle of my snowy footsteps echoes in the night,
In the dark sky I see the full moon shining bold and bright.
I reach my door and turn to tell the wind it’s time to say bye,
But as I go to speak I find it has already drifted up to the dark winter sky.

Canadian Identity Poem

Could It Be

Canada is a country full of heart
But what is it that sets us apart?

Could it be British Columbia’s calm waters and rocky mountain tops,
Or perhaps it’s the breathtaking Pacific where British Columbia stops.

Could it be the boreal forest that occupies Alberta’s terrain,
Or perhaps it’s Banff where it’s always beautiful even through rain.

Could it be Saskatchewan’s national flower the Western Red Lily,
Or perhaps it’s the bitter winters in Saskatchewan that can get rather chilly.

Could it be Manitoba’s majestic forests spreading far and wide,
Or perhaps it’s the pristine rivers with no developments on their sides.

Could it be the wonderful attraction of Ontario’s CN tower,
Or perhaps it’s the Niagara Falls, a must see sight with so much power.

Could it be Quebec’s predominantly French speaking women and men,
Or perhaps it’s the Parliamentary building which is busy no matter when.

Could it be Newfoundland, the province that is farthest to the east,
Or perhaps it’s the Appalachian Mountains you must see once at least.

Could it be the beaches and bays and marshes of P.E.I,
Or perhaps it’s how they produce potatoes at a very large supply.

Could it be New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, two provinces that are rather small,
Or perhaps it’s these provinces which were inhabited by aboriginal peoples first of all.

Could it be the northern territories in a group of three,
Or perhaps it’s the Canadian Arctic Islands located here that few get to see.

So what exactly is it that makes Canada so unique,
It’s all these characteristics and wonders of which I speak.

Canadian Poem

Canada

It was formerly believed, on a sea-battered shorethough the storm at home blasted,that in the distant west there still lay lands,where calm and sun never ended,for there the good season had found it's retreatand freedom and compassion - all that is best.

They set no sail, but thought high,by the ocean they dreaming stood,as the sun slid into the lowest westin the evening's blue-misted spring dusk,then hope and desire glide out with the breezeon the still-blank, sun gilt, wide armed sea.

Though oceans still flood, that separate lands,the passage across is effortless.And our Markland, Canada, its genius and carethe world held out to you over the sea.To the Greeks you could only appear in a poem -but to Icelandic sea kings you gave yourself first.

Still human hope turns its tired eyesfrom the east, to dream about you -you proved good to all, who loved you fervently,who possess here rapture and home.And all with you is fullfilled and able to rootwhich the unquiet spirit has dreamed best.

Stephan Stephansson