I am Woman of the North, standing guard, Oh, Canada.
You can not miss me
spread by fire. I spew what I have saved
like ancient tree, and refuse to die
in unnatural child-birth.
Thin hair on an old man’s head,
curling around his ears
and on the knuckles of his knotted fists
can not take our native land:
Though plow scratch and draglines dig,
though roots are wrenched
and mines draw from veins.
We sink deeper and denser to escape.
Oh, cankered Canada.
I am Woman of the East. God and I
find peaceful ways to keep our land
from fires smudging our horizons.
Our bellies may be emptied of one thousand
thousand seeded tears, we are glorious
in our return. Free and flinging life
from this heating of honor and dignity;
from the divine source of our co-creation.
Oh Canada, place of constant crusades.
We are South-West Women keeping that still small ash alive.
We are white, yellow, black, and red with resonance.
Oh, Canada, your bonfire licks us open
and we ignite this land with new daughters:
Canadians at heart and hearth and healing.
Author notes
Canada is a melting pot of wonderful daughters of the East, south, West and North and we hold our traditions and ties to the earth seriously. We believe in Canada as earth, wind, fire, and water beginnings and honor the land in ancient ways.
Written October 31st, 2006
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"We are South-West Women keeping that still small ash alive.
We are white, yellow, black, and red with resonance.
Oh, Canada, your bonfire licks us open
and we ignite this land with new daughters:
Canadians at heart and hearth and healing."
Ooohhh, my Sister...How did I miss this one??? Oh. I know. It's 'cause ya posted a thousand of 'em since then. 
What a brilliant penning, Carol...luminous, intellectual, overflowing with heart & soul...Congratulations on your golden chalice & on this one being read on the radio program, "World Poetry Cafe", broadcast from Vancouver. It's my honor to be on the same pages & stages with you, my dear Friend...It's glorious...
Wanda
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I believe that too! "The women ARE the heart of it all and this has proven to be true, time and again ... in my experience. joy
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thank you, Sandi. I was asked to send in something and this came, so I sent it.
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A double congratulations are in order I think! Triple platinum applause!!!
many blessings Sandi
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Thank you, Joy for you comments. It has won two things...it is also selected for Cafe Radio, a Canadian Poetry reading radio fromt he West Coast. I love it...not many write about the women when they write tributes to their country. I have a snese that women are the heart of it all.
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excellent
Shewolfnative, Congrats on this very moving piece and for sharing your deep impressions within it. Your words read from the soul with a nice rhythm and keep those home fires burning!
joy
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Thank you Whitetiger1251. Canada is so open and the people so easy going. it has mountains, deserts, plains, rolling hills, and deep river valleys that are second to none because they are still fairly unspoiled. I think, we, as Canadians, are so easy going because of these open spaces where we can breathe and be free.
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Very well Penned!
Very well penned and masterfully done. I admire and respect the heritage and culture that goes with your beautiful country. Canada is a place I want to one day be able to move too since my bestest best friend who I love so much is a Canadian herself. I really loved the aspect and culture of how you wrote thisd and I smile because this poem is a different unique style for my contest. Excellent work and best of luck to you. Sincerely, Whitetiger1251
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Sandi. Sometimes I miss Canada, especially right now when all the air is full of politics down here and they are speaking of a wall.
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Awesome write!
A melting pot indeed of culture, nature and humanity!
An exquisite pen filled with pride for your country's heritage, Oh Canada, I hear your song and rejoice with you, Wonderfully done!
Best wishes in this contest! blessings Sandi
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