Voyageurs National Park   Christine Hemp was the first poet-in-residence at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. She was also a Park poet at Capulin Volcano National Park in New Mexico. She was the poet this year for Mt. Rainier National Park’s Centennial Celebration and performed a multi-media presentation outdoors at the Park’s Cougar Rock Campground Amphitheater. She also gave a reading in Seattle at the Seafirst Gallery at an exhibition commemorating the Centennial. LOOKING WEST AT ASH RIVER POINT A Villanelle for Voyageurs National Park The water calls. Loons, white birch, and pines converse through wings and branches softened by rain found only here in Northern climes. I came from South and West, from other lines on maps that never tell you what is offered when water calls the loons, white birch, and pines. Mirrors from the sky. A blue sublime. Ojibway trails and wolf tracks criss-cross often through rain found only here in Northern climes. Among the berries, bears, and pools of time we're shown our own startling true reflection: Water calling. Loons, white birch, and pines remind us of our wings and roots (not minds or dollars spent at money-hunger's trough) and rain calls us close to Northern climes. An eagle's nest and lily pads are what we'll mine long after ice has covered all the region. We'll summon water, loons, white birch, and pines who reign up here in rain-washed Northern climes.   Christine Hemp Poet-in-Residence, August 1996 Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota   home · resume · recent publications · schedule · technical writing · course offerings list of clients · connecting chord · programs ·  poetry pages · bardic performances · contact Christine Hemp P.O. Box 674 Port Townsend, WA 98368 tel: 360-385-9005