HCLN YEARBOOK 2005

Mrs. Burton

by Ian Wiseman

Still sunny at sixty, she laughs
down by the government wharf-
a daisy nests behind one ear,
a terrier sniffs her naked shin.
Embracing a man’s quiet hand,
linked and fused, husband and wife,
she views his face, his engraved husk.
He scans the horizon, then the surf.

Her face can soften into dough.
I’ve seen the tears through pleated veil.
They buried young her youngest son,
a boy with deference, discipline,
a friend of mine, a teammate, too,
whose midfield play had satin style.
A winter death, leukemia.

She cannot read or write as such,
She mocks the sound of words I know
-wisdom, benevolence, élan-
and (here’s the lie of literacy)
in none of these am I her match.

This book was made possible through the work and generosity of many, with special thanks to:

Laura Channon, Rachel Lebowitz and Linda Oakley, the Coordinators who inspire our students to keep on writing. The volunteers and learners of the Halifax Community Learning Network who continue to make amazing things happen.

The Nova Scotia Department of Education Community Learning Initiative
Matt Likely of Oatmeal Design
Minuteman Press