Gathering Traces Selected Poems 1975-2002 J. A. McLean 1 Acknowledgements I would like to thank the members of the Ottawa Creative Writers’ Group, formed in 1993, and still extant in 2012, who have served as thoughtful listeners and helpful critics in my creative process. Although some members have come and gone over the years, thanks are due especially to Linda O’Neil, one of the co-founders of our group, Jim Desson, Sylvie Nantais, B. K. Filson, Damian Firth, my cousin Heather Nablo Cardin, Joyce Loeffelholz and spouse Charles Rea, Donald Bourque, J.P. Quinn, and Barbara Rager, for the critical feedback on those poems that were first read at our meetings. Any changes made as a result of their comments have hopefully made for an improved final version. Special mention must be made of our much admired dean, Larry Rowdon, who passed away in the summer of 2001. “Larrow” was not only an accomplished published writer of the short story, novel and poem but also friend, counsellor and mentor to us all. Larry won our affections by his attentiveness, sincerity, warmth and gentle good humour, but he was no less an insightful critic and helpful teacher. In a life that was constantly challenged by health and other personal issues, he never lost his steady optimism. Despite the empty chair, our frequent reminiscences bring a welcome return of Larry’s presence. 2 Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 6 Gathering Traces Stepping Out of the Dream ......................................................................................................... 9 Thoughts at the Winter Solstice on Anne Sexton’s Suicide ..................................................... 10 Millennium Man ....................................................................................................................... 13 Bafflefooz or Love’s Science ................................................................................................... 14 The Whistling Train .................................................................................................................. 21 There Is No Sorrow .................................................................................................................. 22 Belonging .................................................................................................................................. 23 Isle of Bone ............................................................................................................................... 24 Hymn to the Beautiful Mind ..................................................................................................... 26 The Art Deco Apartment .......................................................................................................... 30 The Allmerging ......................................................................................................................... 32 The People Walking On The Street .......................................................................................... 35 Solo Violin ................................................................................................................................ 36 Smoke and Mirrors ................................................................................................................... 39 We Are Tired Children ............................................................................................................. 41 Ars Poetica Reading Charles ........................................................................................................................ 43 The Man Who Hated Speech .................................................................................................... 45 A Poem in Plain Speaking ........................................................................................................ 47 Poetry Is .................................................................................................................................... 49 To Make a Poem Pure ............................................................................................................... 50 Poem From The White Room ................................................................................................... 51 Art Encounters Logic: Doc Woodman Explains Otto Don Rogers .......................................... 53 Vincent ...................................................................................................................................... 55 Norrie Analyses Wallace Stevens ............................................................................................. 56 The Phrastis .............................................................................................................................. 57 Love Only The Necessary Meeting ............................................................................................................ 59 Bill Evans Plays “A Time For Love” ....................................................................................... 60 The Love Feast ......................................................................................................................... 62 3 To Jennifer at Big Sur ............................................................................................................... 65 “The Cure For Death By Lightning” ........................................................................................ 67 Returning .................................................................................................................................. 68 Love’s Discipline ...................................................................................................................... 69 Indian Summer .......................................................................................................................... 70 Ambrosia ................................................................................................................................... 73 The One Great Love ................................................................................................................. 75 Love’s Paradox ......................................................................................................................... 76 Love Is Not A Woman .............................................................................................................. 78 Hotel Vancouver ....................................................................................................................... 81 Places in the Heart .................................................................................................................... 83 The Sacred and the Profane The Book of the River .............................................................................................................. 85 The Yellow Babylonian Idol .................................................................................................... 87 At Starbucks .............................................................................................................................. 88 Mrs. Nixon’s Pooja ................................................................................................................... 89 Summer in April: An Evening Meditation ............................................................................... 90 Late Island Winter .................................................................................................................... 92 Dates and Tea ........................................................................................................................... 93 Rizwan Eve in Gatineau ........................................................................................................... 94 Northern Geese Returning ........................................................................................................ 96 Labrador Mystery ..................................................................................................................... 97 Elegy ......................................................................................................................................... 98 Noah ........................................................................................................................................ 100 Epiphany in Late October ....................................................................................................... 101 Consumer Products ................................................................................................................. 102 Paradise ................................................................................................................................... 103 Passing Gently ........................................................................................................................ 104 Flowers Flew Upward ............................................................................................................. 106 The Sphynx ............................................................................................................................. 108 Gems ......................................................................................................................................