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