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I wrote the following poem after spending ten glorious days adrift
north of the Arctic Circle on a cruise in August of 2002.
I won’t be going that far north this time
but am taking a break in Canada for the next five days.
Arctic Summer
No stars fill the night only clouds gray on gray
soaking in yellow light that fills the sky
From the deck I ponder arctic terns black guillemots
the sea of ice we breach the ship’s groan and lurch
Evidence of our push through time the tumble
of white gray and blue we scatter in our wake
Off the bow a polar bear feeds on ring seal
his blood tinged face glows like the moon
As he shuffles and paws the broken body
ivory gulls flutter wait for scraps of skin and blubber
I go below to my cabin fall asleep like a bear
cradled in the rhythmic rise and fall of sea and ice
The cold sunlit night slowly slipping
toward dark frozen days
jzr
I’ll be back here on my blog on July 19th with a post about my worst addiction and two book reviews.
If you missed my July 1st newsletter with my Latest, Hottest, Book News, go here to catch up on what’s happening.
I hope you’re enjoying the summer as much as I am.
Lovely poem, Joan.
Have another lovely vacation in the North.
Shirley
Thank you, Shirley. Just arrived this evening and though it’s warm here in Niagara On The Lake, there is no humidity. We’re here for the George Bernard Shaw Festival and 5 nights of theatre.
May this trip be as engaging and interesting Joan!
Thanks, Val. This trip isn’t wild and wooly like the one I went on above, but a fun place to be and it’s simply relaxing and beautiful. Just what I need.
Joan — Enjoy your time away to recharge your personal battery!
Laurie, thanks. Recharging is one of those things we all need to do,
Enjoy this well-deserved break, Joan!
Thanks, Kathy. I’m enjoying myself.
Beautiful! Wishing you a fabulous getaway.
Thank you, Tracy. It’s great to take a break!