Article 13 – 2 Poems: A Crocus & Another Storm
by Keyanna B. Ouellette
Throughout my junior high and high school years I attended the Canada Scouts program, which offered me opportunities to go on adventures. One of our camping trips was in the bush somewhere between Thompson and Grand Rapids. My scout leader had told my friend and me about the Crocus. Being the only two girls in the group we asked her if we can go on ourselves to find this flower. The next morning we woke up very early to go on a morning hike. After spending almost a half hour looking for the flower, we came across one little crocus. Out of curiosity, we sat there watching the flower blooming. The way the colours appeared gradually at its bloom was truly breathtaking. This inspired me to write this poem. I wanted to write about a flower that is rare to find up in the North. I also wanted to write an experience that most people take for granted in the south except me, the Northern girl.
A Crocus: The First Sign of Spring
The birth of a new fellow
of colours purple and yellow,
is the wonder and beauty that appears
after the long and cold winter’s fears.
Early in the morning
While the weather starts warming,
they see the day break of dawn
as the flower opens up with a wide yawn.
Birds sing them a welcoming song
therefore, they can stand up strong.
Dancing in the warm breeze
They will no longer freeze.
The sun shines bright
Reflecting off the canvas of white,
our friends with the colours of purple and yellow,
are feeling pale and mellow.
The flowers that once was blooming
is now feeling the glooming.
They were frightened by the afternoon,
and the chilling newborn moon.
Another Storm
Looking out the window big and small raindrops race each other down,
And in the distance thick grey clouds start to grow upon the pale blue sky.
Beyond the mine main head frame, the thunder rumbles in,
While the sky cries making beautiful music in Mother’s flower pots.
Outside, the earth’s damp dirt fills the air,
As the smell of old burning dust from the heaters warming the inside.
As I sip a hot cup of coffee,
I think of the stories Father would tell me about the giants and the creatures above making the loud sounds of the make belief battles.
Looking beyond the perfect landscape of dark shades of grey,
Light fills the town for a split second followed by a roaring thunder.
With a cold shiver, I grab a soft blanket and wrap it around my freezing body,
Trying to keep warm on this sad and restless summer night.
I slowly close my eyes and drift off,
Feeling the giant storm passing over the quiet mining town,
leaving me small and fragile.
About the Poet: Keyanna has been passionate about writing for many years. She enjoys writing in various styles such as poems, plays, journalism and short stories. When she was 14 she was the youngest playwright finalist in the Scirocco Drama Manitoba High School Playwriting Contest in 2015. She attends an annual local Festival of Arts sharing her original stories. Keyanna volunteered her time with the 2018 Manitoba Winter Games as a journalist for the media. She has also volunteered her time at one of the local elementary schools teaching grade 6 students how to write short plays. She is now attending university at UCN, taking History as major and English as minor. She hopes to get a teaching degree through the Kenanow Bachelor of Enducation Program so that she could inspire the youth in the North to enjoy creative writing as she does.
Instructor’s Remarks: Keyanna B. Ouellette came to UCN directly from high school this fall. She is in the first year course of literature: Major Works and Authors of the 20th Century (ENG 1015). She has brought lots of laughter and joy to her classmates. She has shown me all her creative works: poems, short stories and journalism reports for the 2018 Manitoba Winter Games. I could tell that Keyanna is a promising young writer. Keyanna is fluent in English and French (Dr. Ying Kong).