Soaring
A red and white kite
Soars in the sky, red maple leaf
Dazzling in the sun
It begins its journey in the east
Threading its way from red beaches, dense forests, rock-faced shields
Great lakes, prairie skies, to rocky mountains
The journey from ocean to ocean
The current shifts north to majestic mountains untouched by
ice age; vast lands with endless days and long nights
Electric hues of purples and greens pull the kite
to the edge of the Arctic Ocean
The wind dies down
The kite rests
Throughout the journey snapshots have been collected
Surrounded by waterways connecting the new and the old
Tied together by cultures and traditions from near and afar
Traditions from everywhere, traditions that become us
A first skate on the pond, a flag sewn on a knapsack, wheat fields
First people beading together ancient stories of the land
Bringing us closer to mother earth
A drum beats
Like her heart
I am Canadian
Mostly the kite’s journey has captured photos
Of friend helping friend
Neighbour beside neighbour
The maple leaf’s points reach out
Like the palm of a hand
Embracing us all
Our pride
Our joy
Our sorrows
We share it together
By Mary Ellen O’Brien