Alyssum Cannon
ENG 102—English Composition 102
Sandra Dihlmann, Instructor
Assignment: Write a poem that demonstrates your knowledge of line length and rhythm.
Inuit
A native
of Great Land.
Inuit, he says,
stands by a flow of ice.
Here the Inuit sun
does not show its round face
for many
many days.
The native is round
like his round house.
They are kept
safe and warm.
The Inuit mukluks, warm
when he moves.
The snow screams;
the ice creaks.
Alone he stands
against God’s might
Stronger than armour.
Here resides.
Sent to test him—
A test he’s endured.
Everlasting—
made for this land.
The Inuit
will kill today.
A seal pup
stranded on ice.
Made for each other,
they collide.
The oil slick made
with warm blood.
The lamp burns on—
an oily wick.
Smoke rises
from a round hole.
The Inuit has passed
another test.
Another day
on the Great Land.