MAPS

Maps
by JAMES REANEY (1926-2008)

Five miles up from Pork Street

The maps hang on the wall

Gray-green windows on the world

Before which the scholars stand

And hear the gasp and roll Atlantic

Above, like the cynosure of a Queen Anne's Lace Dance

The dark red island, Britain

Proud and proud.

O there are maps of Asia

Where warm winds blow

When outside the Janus-frost

Rules the bread-white snow.

A sultry coil of breeze,

And a blossom,

Clogged winds of

Cinnamon and amber.

Fat yellow China

and purple India,

Ceylon like a chocolate comfit

The rim and dim ghost of Europe

Where the colour has run out . . .

Whenever we sing

'In days of yore'

We think of the New World's crown.

The green Northwest with its quaint inlets.

The brown Yukon.

Ungava Bay and Newfoundland

Pink fevered Saskatchewan

and purple Alberta.