for Ed Grogan
Here in the sky blue heart
of Ontario
I am sitting on a battered wood&canvas lawn chair
out on the beach at Hanlan’s Point
without a Citizenship. Behind me
to the north there are the lush Muskokas
& west there are the rugged boonies & farms
that begin before Great Slave Lake.
I am happy &
useless in my rumpled chinos
with a large double scotch
not reading because I would need a 5 × 8 portable
red plastic box light. After all,
this is an island in Lake Ontario.
The sun
is coming up orange; there are trees,
& the great smoke of Toronto is in the distance. I have never
believed in the Iroquois that much. In my heart
I have always believed the Sioux
to have been kinder
& to have had a larger concept of glory
preferably
sitting on their horses.
There is a bright 86°
for today. The sun is coming up orange. I have always
believed you want
to kill me with your stupid ideas
about Canadianism, but relax, I don’t hate you for it.
I am healthy despite these attacks,
talented, & stronger than 2 average people.
I don’t
hate you for it; I just think we should bring
our horses down to swim in the Lake. It’s warm
this morning, & I regard you & the cicadas
with a bemused & moody eye.