TWELVE HOKKU ON A CANADIAN THEME
(1)
HOWstrangely they float,Pale gold and ivory cups,On wilderness lakes.(2)The loon’s weird laughterHolds Indian deviltry,Long, long forgotten.(3)Indian cradleSwung 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 goddessesWho offer honey.(6)Snow-shoes: like strong wingsBound on the feet of victorsConquering snow-fields.(7)On city pavementsTwo muffled, sombre nuns pace,Behind laughing girls.(8)You set narcissusAmidst your silver birchesBy 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 likeEnglish primroses!(12)Fast the new trails leadFrom wilderness to city!Years pass ... Canada!
HOWstrangely they float,Pale gold and ivory cups,On wilderness lakes.(2)The loon’s weird laughterHolds Indian deviltry,Long, long forgotten.(3)Indian cradleSwung 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 goddessesWho offer honey.(6)Snow-shoes: like strong wingsBound on the feet of victorsConquering snow-fields.(7)On city pavementsTwo muffled, sombre nuns pace,Behind laughing girls.(8)You set narcissusAmidst your silver birchesBy 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 likeEnglish primroses!(12)Fast the new trails leadFrom wilderness to city!Years pass ... Canada!
HOWstrangely they float,Pale gold and ivory cups,On wilderness lakes.
HOWstrangely they float,
Pale gold and ivory cups,
On wilderness lakes.
(2)
The loon’s weird laughterHolds Indian deviltry,Long, long forgotten.
The loon’s weird laughter
Holds Indian deviltry,
Long, long forgotten.
(3)
Indian cradleSwung from bough, rocked by Four Winds:Christ lay in manger.
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.
Silver-haired Marquise!
You were transplanted, one Spring,
Into wild New France.
(5)
The sugar maples ...Benevolent goddessesWho offer honey.
The sugar maples ...
Benevolent goddesses
Who offer honey.
(6)
Snow-shoes: like strong wingsBound on the feet of victorsConquering snow-fields.
Snow-shoes: like strong wings
Bound on the feet of victors
Conquering snow-fields.
(7)
On city pavementsTwo muffled, sombre nuns pace,Behind laughing girls.
On city pavements
Two muffled, sombre nuns pace,
Behind laughing girls.
(8)
You set narcissusAmidst your silver birchesBy Northern lakeside.
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.
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.
When Loneliness stalked ...
Black panther through gold wheat-fields ...
You used Love’s arrows.
(11)
Puissant woman!...Sheltering tiny things likeEnglish primroses!
Puissant woman!...
Sheltering tiny things like
English primroses!
(12)
Fast the new trails leadFrom wilderness to city!Years pass ... Canada!
Fast the new trails lead
From wilderness to city!
Years pass ... Canada!