North Shore

North Vancouver, West Vancouver
Dollarton, Deep Cove
Lion's Bay and Ansell point
signs by which we drove

sea-to-sky where eagles fly
Brackendale nearby
Squamish winds, more Howe Sound things
where peaks in water lie

Cypress Falls and ravens' calls
butterflies on the wing
Upper Level Highway's glimpse
Vancouver's happening

down below where buildings grow
like trees on mountains near
above it all, the noise, the pall
nature's quiet cheer

spirits rise, it's no surprise
with beauty all around
Seymour, Grouse and Hollyburn
absorbing people's sound

the deafening hush
where Lynn Creek's rush
flows through canyon deep
awaking something we forgot

when we fell asleep
amidst the roar, the ever more
accumulating stuff
disappearing in a flash

the natural world's enough
to pacify our souls which cry
for peace amid the noise
and expectations to desire

all the world's new toys
down below where buildings grow
Vancouver's happening
from Lynn Peak's height

where sounds take flight
on breezes as they sing
spirits rise, it's no surprise
with beauty all around

Seymour rising skyward
absorbing people's sound