The Pacific darkened in the eye
while marine currents bore us on
calmly sailing at the foot of gloomy
mountains with no idea in our minds
of ever falling prone before them
beseeching the sky of hope
and the omnipotence of justice
The Pacific darkened in the eye
while we wondered at the small birds
that rested on the floating tree trunks
in swollen Johnstone Strait
and while we neared the goal
dreamed of the fierce carnage of salmon
The Pacific darkened in the eye
distant and ruthless bearing in its icy loins
the primal power of life and death
nor could even Roko’s door11
discovered at that time
in front of the saving entrance to Port Neville
console us entirely.
(Vancouver October 4, 1988)
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