Yes, this week’s Poetry Friday is here and we’re very excited to be hosting for the first time. Please leave your links in the Comments Section below – I’ll be checking them throughout the day and updating this post.
My offering comes from David Bouchard’s recent book, The Secret of Your Name/ Kiimooch ka shinikashooven (Red Deer Press, 2010). David only found out about his Métis roots relatively recently. In this poem he addresses his Nokum, his Grandmother. There is apology and regret for all that has been lost in the passing years – but there is hope too, because now that he does know, there is still time to discover his heritage and to proclaim it to the world. The beauty of this poem is that it is very personal to David’s own heart but also speaks for many, many Métis today, who did not, or still do not, know of their First Nations blood. And look very carefully at the beautiful cover (although I know it’s hard in a small picture like this) – Dennis J. Weber has drawn together in this one image all the longing, regret and eventual harmony with the past that comes through in the poem.
I’m sorry that I cannot sing
The songs that were passed down to you
The songs you heard your mother sing
The songs that I should own…I’m sorry but I cannot sing
I did not know so I did not learn
I have yet to hear a single song
Sung by a Chippewa…But I will go and seek them out
Then teach them to my children [...]Our family will come to learn
You were a Menominee.
The book comes with an accompanying CD, with narration in English by David and in Michif by Norman Fleury, and with accompanying music, played by David on the flute and the “Master of the Métis Fiddle”, John Arcand. You can listen to the English version, including the insightful Foreward, here, while viewing the stunning illustrations. Our current issue of PaperTigers focuses on Canadian Aboriginal Children’s Literature and features a fascinating interview with David – definitely worth reading!
And now for the feast of verse that is Poetry Friday…
Danika from TeachingBooks.net shares audio of Robert Frost himself performing his poem “Birches.” How exciting to share this poet’s voice and rhythm with students – and indeed for all of us to hear him! –
and Tabatha has another audio offering, with Maggi Smith reciting Matthew Arnold’s Mortality: what a combination! And she also has a little Alan Rickman bonus too!
Mary Lee, who is one of those awe-inspiring bloggers posting an original poem throughout this Poetry Month of April, has a beautiful poem today inspired by “something a child said to me at recess” – and it’s already inspired a poetry risposte in her Comments; I’m sure there’ll