sparkling lights &
scribbling daring words
on turrets,
walls and bridges,
bar stools and shiny mirrors
But tonight,
instead of wine
& trying out exotic food
& beating to samba beat
I look up
to inhale the sky's deep
mystery-
the full moon
eclipsing my city neon signs,
car lights, highways, borders
to one giant canvas
unblemished as black
stones and wild wheat field
running the river's mouth
with tide's harmony
I wear
the night with simple
reverence
unadorned but for the moonlight
just as it was
with my Native Fathers
Overlooking Mississauga City, Ontario, Canada during the Supermoon October 2016
The name "Mississauga" comes from the Anishinaabe word Misi-zaagiing, meaning "[Those at the] Great River-mouth."
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Night time City Panorama ~ Hosted by Kim Russell
It's so exciting to read about cities in other parts of the world, Grace, especially places I have never been. I have friends and distant relations in Canada and, as you may know, I am a huge Joni Mitchell fan, so it has always been a dream of mine to visit. Being a linguist, I am also interested in the meaning of place names, so your additional information about the name "Mississauga" immediately caught my eye. Back to the poem...
ReplyDeleteYou have really brought your city to me, with its 'yellow
sparkling lights & / scribbling daring words / on turrets, / walls and bridges, / bar stools and shiny mirrors'. I love 'the full moon / eclipsing my city neon signs' and the 'one giant canvas / unblemished as black / stones and wild wheat field' - that's how I always picture Canada.
This is fantastic, the way you catch both the action of the city and the beauty of the moon, in the lights... love it.
ReplyDeleteI really love this Grace. It speaks to me of things much older than the city and your closing lines moved me to tears. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteI wear
the night with simple
reverence
unadorned but for the moonlight
just as it was
with my Native Fathers
Lovely, especially the last two stanzas.
ReplyDeleteGrace, this is lovely....evocative. I feel like I was there. Jane
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Grace--but then, your work always moves me
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly lovely Grace, a pure pleasure to read.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Anna :o]
Sure lit up the night over the city, as you took it all in.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful imagery, Grace! I sense the simple reverence and awe as moon outshines the city lights.
ReplyDeletebreathing in the night here Grace and turning the city back to its roots - very clever the way you have personalised the impersonal city
ReplyDeleteI love the juxtaposition of the exotic city with the simple sky. Beautiful write!
ReplyDeleteIndian skylights
ReplyDeleteoF all the worlds
shine acCoss the
sky.. no depths of limits
as far as eYeS can see..
or are they
hanging
lights
on
flat
land.. so.. far...
imagiNations carry..:)
Even the city takes a deep breath. Well done
ReplyDeletethis is spectacular....last stanza is marvelous!
ReplyDeleteI find this poem very calming, Grace. I feel meditative and contemplative.
ReplyDeleteEmotive and soothing ... even while the city beats in the background. Beautifully captured. I am there!
ReplyDelete