qMAS | SUMMER 2022 | Page 6
Summer Poem Anthology by Elijah Ackerly
qMAS Summer Interpretive Guide For the summer edition of the qMAS newsletter I have chosen to share a selection of poems from our archives. The likeness these poems share, are the poets’ incredible ability to use letters to dust off the noise and haste which can blinds us to the beauty of the summer season. Further, all of the poets chosen have spent some of their lives in the qathet region, whether for a short period of time or many years. The poets write with an incredible warmth on themes of nature, life, beauty, love and the human experience. In reading and selecting the poems to share, I was ruminating on how these poets in the past were also privy to the mural-like sunsets we have the gift of seeing each evening. Particularly, Wilma’s poem, “Malaspina Skyfire”, which assuredly was written against the backdrop of a cotton-candy sunset of a warm summer’s night. I encourage all readers to take a few moments out of your day and read the words of those who came before us. To ask ourselves what can we learn from them? Upon realising we are really no different than people in the past we can read their words wholly, and digest the wisdom they offer. The works I have highlighted are by : Wilma Mary Mitchell, Olive Devaud, and Mary Anderson. Wilma grew up in Powell River by Cranberry Lake. In 1995 she won many awards for her poetry from the National Library of Poetry.
Malaspina Skyfire Sitting, by the ocean shore watching the ships sail by, Sundown, sets on the strait raging, fire be-sets the sky. Earthly, object erase colour shadowing ebon silhouettes, Spreading, gathered prism hues feeding, flames to the sunset. Clouds, roll along a fiery, horizon blown out, on a warm, western breeze exploding, spectacular, blazing hues in Malaspina’s drama with the sea. Nature, displays, her finest array waves, spark, alive and, aflame, Twinkling, billion of diamonds no, artist’s brush, could explain. The weary, sun, sets to rest on the very, last ocean crest, smoldering, away, spark of day bidding final, farewell west. by Wilma Mary Mitchell
