This poem first was broadcast on CBC’s program Commentary. JC brings it back to these pages on the eve of Canada’s federal election to BEG voters to turn out and vote.
So much is riding on each riding’s choice. \ JC hopes Canadians know how much each vote counts. Feel free to comment on her poem, “Anthem.”
Anthem
A Mountie sings Oh Canada
A Fine baritone in scarlet
Odd how his stiff brown hat stays put
I strain to hear the others –their singing jumbles off
high glass planes, transparent walls
I make out Des plus brilliants
God keep
Glorious and free
I hear my voice, small in the great room
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee
I will the words to be true
Fear we are not up to it
Many don’t vote
They squander their choices, our democracy
Grumble at leaders in power almost by default
Our fault, really
Centred in little lives, blind to our need to protect
our country — beautiful, fragile
We ought to know better, to know
what to do for Canada every day
and in times of flood, plague, war and fire
Could someone tell us how
On the Eve of the Canadian Election, here is JC’s plea
This poem first was broadcast on CBC’s program Commentary. JC brings it back to these pages on the eve of Canada’s federal election to BEG voters to turn out and vote.
So much is riding on each riding’s choice. \ JC hopes Canadians know how much each vote counts. Feel free to comment on her poem, “Anthem.”
Anthem
A Mountie sings Oh Canada
A Fine baritone in scarlet
Odd how his stiff brown hat stays put
I strain to hear the others –their singing jumbles off
high glass planes, transparent walls
I make out Des plus brilliants
God keep
Glorious and free
I hear my voice, small in the great room
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee
I will the words to be true
Fear we are not up to it
Many don’t vote
They squander their choices, our democracy
Grumble at leaders in power almost by default
Our fault, really
Centred in little lives, blind to our need to protect
our country — beautiful, fragile
We ought to know better, to know
what to do for Canada every day
and in times of flood, plague, war and fire
Could someone tell us how
or should we go out there, start somewhere
Work not only for ourselves
but for our Canada
A half hour a day
times the 34 million of us or so
(minus the sick, the too-young)
would sure buy a lot
of standing on guard
Share this: