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Our Standing Family

Our Standing Family

by Geoff Travis Canadien

A flock of Geese is a Gaggle,

Crows a Murder, and

Any more than a dozen Ravens a Conspiracy,

In Indigenous Teachings, Trees are Our Standing Family,

Our Brothers and Sisters,

Who Teach us Patience and Wisdom, and

Require Our Stewardship.

The Eldest of Our Family need to be Honoured,

Not seen as so many Beams,

Beams, which build houses of Consumer Dreams,

Developments that Tar, and Scar, the Land,

As they spur Demand, for More and More.

Land which Nobody Owns, rather Shares with ALL Life.

Our Standing Family,

Cleans the Air for all the Creatures,

Listen to the exchange of Breaths,

As we commune in an Ancient Shorthand…

A Dialog which Our Actions no longer Honour.

Under the Freezing Moon,

I Witness the Trees in a strong breeze,

Arms and Fingers reaching and missing each other,

Longing for the close embrace of the Leaves in Summer.

About this Poem

Kingston poet Geoff Travis Canadien describes himself: "Mohawk, Turtle Clan, my Nation is Kahnawake, Quebec".

About the Poetry Blackboard

The Poetry Blackboard showcases poems curated by Kingston's Poet Laureate and written by Kingston poets. There's a new poem every month, written by poets living and dead, historical and contemporary, published and unpublished, adults and children, giving full range to the cultural voice of Kingston. Started in 2015 by Helen Humphreys, the Poetry Blackboard has been continued since 2019 by Jason Heroux.

We wish to thank Helen Humphreys, Kingston's second Poet Laureate, for her generous support of emerging and established poets in Kingston through library programming and our Poetry Blackboard project. Throughout her four years as Poet Laureate, Helen curated a digital collection of poetry to showcase the talents of local creators of all ages, both historic and contemporary. Helen also offered several opportunities for emerging poets to develop their craft, offering group workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Her active engagement with the library and community has been greatly appreciated.

In 2019 we welcomed the incoming Poet Laureate, Jason Heroux, who continues to curate the Poetry Blackboard and to develop new community programming.

Previously Published Poems