Oh Canada!

Would ever I leave you, sister land, brooding wonder of desolation,
As breaking heartstrings, every strand, cry wanton perambulation?

Sweet woodland delights explore, timber glades’ visceral calls,
Search out Nature’s wilderness store, embrace what mystery befalls.
Perhaps a moose calf will tiptoe by, in search of tranquility I stole,
And its mother casts baleful eye, suspicious of my innocent goal.

Wild ducks and geese whistle past, toward beaver pond hidden,
Silent shadows fleeting cast, wolves reflect presence unbidden.
Calm split — eagle’s cry harsh, mate’s fish catch isn’t sharing,
Small animals hide dale and marsh, fear sharp talons it’s bearing.

Deep azure skies — zany white-puffs, flower girl could easily pick,
Pressing eastward, west wind huffs, horizon dark becomes thick,
Virga swatches from silver mounds, hustle close in fast succession,
Spattering stings, roaring sounds, deluge — then rainbow recession.

Rain — sun — quiet — blow, weather builds two-day sodden squall,
Arctic breath whips whitecaps so, and sudsy shore froth arches tall.
By midday her wild tantrum spent, vast energy swirl passed on by,
Cold blast raced to where it went, cerulean reclamation reigns high.

Time to putter to the grassy bays, troll among pike a wobbling spoon,
Pass a spinner where the walleye lays, chill to wail of lonesome loon.
Would ever I leave you, sister land, brooding mistress of desolation,
When breaking heartstrings, every strand, cry wanton perambulation?

© 2004 R. Leland Waldrip