Sounds from mosque at dawn wakes me up.
It is the first of the five prayer times dividing time
into tidy rooms filled with mats, bodies
kneeling, prostrating facing Mecca, the holy city.
as sun circles the sky,
i marvel at different face
of God
II.
Here, mountains frame the city in blue
Here, deep ocean crush shells to fine sand
Here, forest park cradles ancient totems
to highest valley
i soar with wind, content
with my eagle's wings
III.
Your skin is musky earth
In your native language
Even saying good morning
Sounds like an invitation
To go somewhere & everywhere
my tongue rolls new words
no, not melted butter
but spice, flaming my guts-
IV.
I saw the biggest waterfall
its mouth, a womb of life
I gazed at fabled city steeped
in 18th century stories
I travel to know the history
of my new country -
still, my luggage is filled
with jasmine leis and one map-
you
If I have a boat, I will sail to you
Photography: Joel Robison
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - We are talking about travel poetry~ Hosted by Gabriella ~
What a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the 'different face of God.' So many differences right within a country. One doesn't have to travel far to appreciate them, and the mountains and the forests are a wonderful backdrop to a lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteI like the picture of Canada you show us in the second stanza but can also feel the nostalgia in your words. Indeed I think we are the sum of the places we have inhabited.
ReplyDeleteSo much to sea indeed, lots of trees and water here, that is for sure haha
ReplyDeleteToday a country has so many faces.. yes we are never far from new experiences... I love each stanza telling it's own aspect of your country...
ReplyDeletethis tells me that you and we should recognize that in our differences we are all but 'one'
ReplyDeletewonderful inspiring piece mi amiga
this write is a true gem. All the differences, create an incredible oneness.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful journey you took us on... Even saying good morning
ReplyDeleteSounds like an invitation ... love this when a whole country can be found in just the sound of someone's voice
You introduce us to a diversity within the provinces that leap borders. I assume Montreal is like a cross between NYC & Paris. I have done a road trip from BC to Thunder Bay, Ontario, hugging the border. My wife has spent time on PEI on the east coast. Vancouver, for me, was like a clean dream of my town of Seattle; this piece, per usual, is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful Grace, I love "a different face of God" and "even saying good morning sounds like an invitation." Lovely!
ReplyDeletewow...these are stunning. you capture the world around you; a beautiful painting of words. I enjoyed the accenting italicized stanzas.
ReplyDeleteLovely images Grace, you have been and seen some amazing places that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteI like how you are in here, in the suitcase, the waterfall, the eagle's flight, the faces of God. This is my new favorite of yours as each, tnka like, provides an image of the next phase of a journey.
ReplyDeleteGrace, I love the way you travel the world within the confines of a country. Beautifully set up and I especially like your little ending poems in each section.
ReplyDeletejanet
loved that second stanza and the mouth of the waterfall.. beautiful
ReplyDeleteYes, the faces of God as the sun circles is wonderful and the mix of poerix styles is interesting - puts a nice spin on the previous stanza.
ReplyDeleteLovely use of form, Grace. Beautiful read.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. My favourite part was the first 2 lines of the last stanza.
ReplyDeletethe journey begins with the sound of azan ends with jasmine fragrance...a discovery and nostalgia.....beautiful Grace...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful beautiful. To be read a few times and feel the scents and sound. Majestry of words there - utterly sincerely. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteFor me this traverses the world, or a world, somewhat near and very far, the sense of being anywhere but (here). You serve the poetry well with glimmers and glimpses sufficient to sate the traveling thirst. And of course the most exotic and wondrous location of all the lover right next to you.
ReplyDeleteIf I had a boat, I'd sail with you, Mary :)
ReplyDeleteWe are all the places we have lived in, come from, are moving to... a great tribute to immigrants and emigrants everywhere...
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us to this place Grace. It seems a place one would want to stay for some time.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, we are human beings, Grace. But only you life of "doing" could prepare you for writing like this. I'd like to STAY there...until time to move on. Everywhere I've EVER been--and liked--ended with a shorter stay than I wanted. Always those things without...calling. It does not have to be that way, does it?
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL. Ma'am.
Love how you personalized your land, your first home....lovely ending, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThat last line- Wow!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful love poem, Grace, universal in time, place and meaning.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Grace - each stanza, a journey - just really lovely
ReplyDeleteOh, so glorious, the learning of the adopted country, the bag still packed with leis, "and one map - you." A suitcase of beautiful things.
ReplyDeletethis one is gorgeous.......great!!
ReplyDeleteVous êtes les bienvenus mon amour.
ReplyDeleteOf course you were speaking of Quebec right?
Wonderful. I didn't know blogspot would be this different from WP. Lol.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, here is something different than many other blogs in a good way.
The close of this poem is especially compelling, I thought, Grace. Lovely. k.
ReplyDeleteAmazing - it evokes how travelling brings home closer somehow : )
ReplyDeleteBtw I noticed that "II." is followed again by "II." - you might have overlooked that.