All the olympic coverage in Vancouver is making me very proud of my town. It is beautiful here. I think I have caught something of the olympic spirit. Mark and I went downtown last night to walk around among all the people. Vancouver is not usually a particularly busy city and it is amazing to see the crowds gathered downtown. So many visitors from other countries and from different parts of Canada. The mood is definitely "up-beat" and nearly everyone seems to be sporting some kind of olympic garment. Strangers are chatting and laughing with each other. Even a crowded bus ride, normally a source of grumbling and unease (standing and being pressed against, with my face uncomfortably close to some strange man's armpit...) was relaxed, jovial, and (almost) fun. It is quite something. And it's good to take in the moment. We may never see anything like it in Vancouver again. The weather has been spectacular; bright sunshine and a clean crispness in the air. So, seeing as the spotlight is on Vancouver, I decided to post a poem by Vancouver poet, Pat Lowther.
Riding past
Long street of houses
with lighted roofs
black against
winter sky blue as Venetian glass
with Venus hanging
like a small yellow moon
In the houses people
are cooking food and scolding children
the ones home from work
are hanging their coats up
telephones are ringing
behind the yellow windows
Come, open the doors
yellow rectangles and steam
of meat and potatoes
Stand on the front steps
stare at the sky and wave
Look, we're riding past Venus
Pat Lowther (1935-1975)
From: Time Capsule
No comments:
Post a Comment