the map that changed me

I wear a coat of red
inhaling icy air of winter 
from Blue mountains to Lake Ontario
at 2 C, my skin is tough as maple tree

As I stand on top of Centennial park hill
a black hawk swirls above wind-tossed sky
my eyes scan sunlit cityscape   
from Mississauga condo buildings & houses
to the CN Tower at the distant Toronto City

This land is not a stranger
Not anymore, from falling autumn leaves to
maple syrup, to toque & snow pants, trees in
Riverwood Conservation and Halton Hills parks

Though Downtown Toronto is familiar work map
I love hiking along Credit River & Etobicoke Creek
rejoicing with orange breasted cardinals,
red winged blackbirds, swans and geese 
clawing and feasting on rain-soaked soil 

Over 14 seasons, I flowed 
into nature's cycle, a single raindrop 
into the mighty Niagara Falls, encompassing 
all our small beginnings into 1 mighty roar - home

Centennial Park, March 25, 2019

Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Geography, Poetics,hosted by Anmol.  Please join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.

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.

of dreams

Grace @ Everyday Amazing

you didn't get to taste   
Canadian baked apple pie --

not for the first 3 years
that you live in this city -
preferring your wife's hand-rolled coconut 
milk sweets & saffron-dusted treats -- 

but these days, you bring either ham or
turkey sandwiches for lunch at work, mindful
of curry smell of your skin and breath --  

from eating rice with butter-based ghee, 
& potatoes and lentils with Indian spices, 
you politely inquire about everyone's weekend--

in this city of snow  & maple leaf dreams, 
you have traded your family's name & pride 
for the promising future of your only son 

here - in this city where immigrants
work shoulder to shoulder, cowed & bowed
from cold winter & scarce job market--

this is the city of forgetfulness --
(even the immigrant consultant forgot to tell you) 
to survive, forget the past & make a clean slate,
making mistakes, learning to conform until

you speak English slowly with little accent, 
(while writing your English novel at night)  
wear suits & pass courses - all stamped with approval -  

at the turn of the year, you buy  
groceries (including wine & apple pie) with
your modest income at nearby Walmart's store -

hailing a waiting  cab for home -
(you refused to take the driver's test still)  
the driver is turban and gruff of hair, 
another survivor, a mirror of you & you

chat, eager for a slice of familiar soil,    
comparing notes, and for a moment 
both of you remember

your dreams 

My top post for 2012 and all time is Follow Your Dreams.  I decided to write the same theme from my office mate's point of view.  And yes, I made this apple pie from scratch yesterday.  Thanks for the visit.      

Shared with D'verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - Tuesday