Hockey

A wonderful poem about Canada's National Pastime.

(PRWEB) January 23 2004--Coming to bookstores soon. From Full Satchel Press, David MacLennan's first book of poems, featuring this favourite as heard on CBC radio; as well as many more:

Address to a Puck

Fair eh, your honest hockey place,

Great chieftain of the scarring face;

Where between the boards skates to lace:

    Your rubber froze,

Darting dangerous quick of pace,

    In slap shots rose.

The crackling ice on which you slide,

Chased by padded boys well applied;

In loss or victory you decide:

    Yours not to let,

Where shots be accurate or wide,

    Streak towards the net.

This disc hits corners left and right,

Can cut you up with ready slight;

From in behind burns the goal light:

    Whoa, bulging twine,

This the lonely net minders plight,

    Guards the thin red line.

Quick hands and fast of foot to flop,

Who are said to be oer the top;

On grenades hurled theyre known to drop:

    And fallen beneath,

With bodies bruised, brave lads will stop -

    Trading precious teeth.

Yes, your powers make cold winter fair;

In boyhood dreams young and old share,

With pride our true colours to wear:

    On Habs or Leafs stuck,

This O Canadas common prayer -

    Blessed be a puck!

David MacLennan Copyright 2002