So This Is Mississauga

 

This city is a lyrebird

echoing voices

from every corner of the world

Arriving through Pearson Airport

the road unfurls - smooth, bright

lights shimmering beyond rows of maple trees

You may be lost at first,

but the stories of travelers & immigrants,

remind you the world gathers here -

Asian bowls, Italian plates,

South American sweets, vegan bowls

farm fields and stones giving way

to tall silver towers & landscaped streets

Beneath it all,

Credit River threads through conservation parks,

past pines & fallen maple leaves, pouring itself

into Lake Ontario

This too is the city

At Riverwood, we listen for the 

quick tapping of a woodpecker

Down at Lakeshore, we follow

the long blue stretch of the lake 

towards the Toronto's skyline

We breathe the crisp winter air

jackets and toques pulled tight

watching geese and swans glide

white on white

our mittened hands warm as our socks

Note:  “Mississauga” translates “River of the North of Many Mouths”. This is a major suburb of Toronto, Ontario.

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - So This is Ted Kooser or Local Wonders, with guest host, Jennifer Wagner. Tell us about your city. Thanks for your comments and visits.

i prefer the city's backyard view

a lively canvas is drawn:

birds from chickadees, cardinals & bluejays pecking  

for seeds & squirrels scarmbling over fences & trees 

& wild bunnies scouting for food

on days when the dark clouds are rolling
& northern wind knocks the flowers of their golden crowns
& fruit trees are bearing hint of autumn with pears growing wild

i gather my paintbrush
& splash a bit of tangerine color at the sides
& dash of marmalade & lilac streaks across the horizon
& liberal dose of blue sky & bubbling clouds

i fold into
                  paper plane
                                        zipping out of the
                                                                        window

Mississauga City

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Poetics:  Looking out the Windows with guest host, Peter Frankis from Austrailia.   Please join us with a window photo from your home and a poem when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.  Thank you for the comments.

Soul Sister - Mississauga City

Cherry Blossoms, 2017

Centennial Park, Mississauga City

The air is fresh and thick
of maple, oak, aspen and birch trees
along Credit River
towards blue Lake Ontario
Bottle up this city's musk
It is invigorating

From the smell of maple syrup
to India's spices, curry & bread
to Italy's fresh tomatoes and pasta
to Mexico's burritos and tacos
to Jamaica's jerk chicken & beans
to France's crepes and macaroons
to Japanese sushi and English's fish
and chips
Plus thousand more dishes

From faraway countries,
This city is a big basket weaved by
different colors of the world's hands-
Though young (as of 1974)
This city commands limelight -
It is Canada's 6th largest city -

Ring the giant bell
in Kariya Park -
We are the city of friendship
with Japan-
Here cherry blooming trees
pinks the park, 
radiant as morning sun

Bring your bike or hiking shoes
Along the reclaimed forest area
We'll refresh our souls
while listening to birds, fish and chasing
small wild creatures
innocent as children's laughter in parks-

Beside giant malls, offices
and Marilyn-Monroe shaped
condo buildings in downtown city-
This city flames with energy 
Sprawling with modern
roads for trains and bus terminals

Beside Toronto City,
Mississauga is a big sister
with trillium flowers on her hair
and that smile - 

                                Welcome!

Note:  The Mississauga are a subtribe of the Anishinaabe-speaking First Nations people located in southern Ontario, Canada. They are closely related to the Ojibwe. The name "Mississauga" comes from the Anishinaabe word Misi-zaagiing, meaning "[Those at the] Great River-mouth." It closely related to the Ojibwe word Misswezahging, which means ‘a river with many outlets.’

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Hosted by Jilly about Urban Renewal.   What is your city? Mine is Mississauga, my home for the last 13 years.   Join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.