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Sentinel Poetry (Online) #48, November 2006. Frontpage l Contents
Armand Garnet Ruffo
*Stone Canoe
Behind the blink of a dream
the shaman paints himself
into voyage
and travels
with the people
who have been padding all their lives
for centuries
back to the source
of religion
Misshipeshu
water Manitou, spirit guide
swims the under world
spiraling out of a whirlpool
Sign of medicine power
and presence
a prayer
for calm water
Loon shapes the canoe
in an elegant song
of loyalty
and beauty
head held high
to the distant horizon
vigilant for the people
Sturgeon supports
the fragile vessel
master of deep water
strength
and sweet flesh
given in self-sacrifice
beloved
totems
And the four aboard
Man, Woman, Child
Shaman (paddle or brush in hand)
painted in red ochre on stone
and bound together
transformed
innumerable times
by innumerable artists
so that the people might continue.
*taken from National Gallery of Canada publication, illustrated with paintings by Morrisseau.
