Canoe-trip
by Douglas LePan
i not know what be 3 powerful pictures in this.
What of this fabulous country
Now that we have it reduced to a few hot hours
And sun-burn on our backs?
On this south side the countles archipelagoes,
The slipway where titans sent splashing the last great glaciers;
And then up to the foot of the blue pole star
A wilderness,
The pinelands whose limits seem distant as Thule,
The millions of lakes once cached and forgotten,
The clearings enamelled with blueberries, rank silence about them;
And skies that roll all day with cloud-chimeras
To baffle the eye with portents and unwritten myths,
The flames of sunset, the lions of gold and gules.
Into this reservoir we dipped and pulled out lakes and rivers,
We strung them together and made our circuit.
Now what shall be our word as we return,
What word of this curious country?
It is good,
It is a good stock to own though it seldom pays dividends.
There are holes here and there for a gold-mine or a hydro-plant.
But the tartan of river and rock spreads undisturbed,
The plaid of a land with little desire to buy or sell.
The dawning light skirls out its independence;
At noon the brazen trumpets slash the air;
Night falls, the gulls scream sharp defiance;
Let whoever comes to tame this land, beware!
Can you put a bit to the lunging wind?
Can you hold wild horses by the hair?
Then have no hope to harness the energy here,
It gallops along the wind away.
But here are crooked nerves made straight,
The fracture cured no doctor could correct.
The hand and mind, reknit, stand whole for work;
The fable proves no cul-de-sac.
Now from the maze we circle back;
The map suggested a wealth of cloudy escapes;
That was a dream, we have converted the dream to act.
And what we now expect is not simplicity,
No steady brezze, or any surprise,
Orchids along the portage, white water, crimson leaves.
Content, we face again the complex task.
And yet the marvels we have seen remain.
We think of the eagles, of the fawns at the river bend,
The storms, the sudden sun, the clouds sheered downwards.
O so to move! With such immaculate decision!
O proudly as waterfalls curling like cumulus!
I think these are powerful pictures:
And skies that roll all day with cloud-chimeras
Can you hold wild horses by the hair?
Orchids along the portage, white water, crimson leaves.
We think of the eagles, of the fawns at the river bend,
thanks very much ms. sue :) do poet be telling how land be created?
And skies that roll all day with cloud-chimeras wat this mean?
can you hold wild horses by hair?
do this represent how strong they be?
orchids along the portage, white water, crimson leaves
this represent beautiful nature?
we think of the eagles, of the fawns at the river bend
i not know what this mean either.
And skies that roll all day with cloud-chimeras wat this mean?
Chimeras are mythical fire-breathing dragons. The poet feels that the clouds look like they are spitting out smoke.
can you hold wild horses by hair?
do this represent how strong they be?
Yes -- this shows their strength.
orchids along the portage, white water, crimson leaves
this represent beautiful nature?
Yes.
we think of the eagles, of the fawns at the river bend
The powerful eagles (birds) are flying in the sky. The fawns (young deer) are, in contrast, young and weak.
thanks very very much ms. sue :)
You're very welcome, Mohammad.
In the poem "Canoe-trip" by Douglas LePan, the author describes the beauty and majesty of the Canadian wilderness experienced during a canoe trip. While the poem does not explicitly mention three powerful pictures, there are several vivid images and themes that stand out.
To identify three powerful pictures in this poem, it is important to analyze the detailed descriptions and imagery used by the poet. Here are three possible interpretations of powerful pictures in the poem:
1. Archipelagoes and Glaciers:
The poem mentions "countless archipelagoes" and "the slipway where titans sent splashing the last great glaciers." These images evoke a sense of vastness and majesty found in the Canadian landscape. The reader can imagine a network of islands and the remnants of ancient glaciers, creating a visual representation of the country's natural beauty.
2. Blue Pole Star and Pinelands:
The poet refers to the "foot of the blue pole star," suggesting a remote and untouched wilderness. The wilderness is further described as "pinelands whose limits seem distant as Thule," emphasizing the vastness and expansiveness of the landscape. This image paints a picture of dense pine forests stretching as far as the eye can see.
3. Skies and Cloud-Chimeras:
The poem describes skies that "roll all day with cloud-chimeras," suggesting ever-changing and dramatic cloud formations. This image captures the dynamic nature of Canadian skies, with clouds resembling mythical creatures and creating an atmosphere of mystery and wonder.
To fully appreciate the power of these pictures, it is recommended to read the entire poem and closely analyze the poet's use of language and imagery. By doing so, readers can further explore the themes and emotions conveyed throughout the poem.