The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2000, Page 35

Vol. 56 #1
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
33
wherein are meadows, pleasant springs, and delightful streams
and all sorts of beasts and djinn and other wondrous things
I've worked the harvest along the river Nile
and been to costume balls done in Persian style
I was deep in the forest where no sky is seen
and I was not afraid
I was root and branch and knew the ways between
I slew the guardian at my gate
I was on the threshold and would not wait
at the ends of the earth I sat down to a feast
plates of life and religions whipped like cream
cakes and ices and the steaming meat of dreams
and I left there wanting nothing
I left a tavern and heard something on the sea wail
the four winds each had equal time behind my sails
and when it was time I took off my armaments
and slept beneath a tree
I was just outside the castle
the most beautiful castle
well met we embraced and shook each other
"Well met, well met, by the heart of Jesus Christ
you are the picture of the living knight! "
I felt gentle and true
we decided to meet here in one year's time
and tell what we had seen
but I was wounded and it was all a dream