Saturday, July 31, 2010

45 Minutes in Drummondville


Here we
are
again,
stopped







at a bland strip mall
between sophisticated cities—
and, you know, there is
nothing I want to buy
with my few remaining “loonies.”


Now, I’d love more time in
Old Quebec, or watching those
billowing clouds pass over me.

But here I am in Drummondville.

I went to a Dollar Store
and actually found more than
I was looking for:

A Minnie Mouse bag for Ariella,
and 21 small plastic glasses
to fill with red wine
and hold up to the light—
to consecrate in some small way
the time we’ve spent together
on this cradle-rocking bus
before our day
darkens into night.

7.23.10

----------------------------------

45 Minutos en Drummondville

Aquí estamos de nuevo, parados
En un centro de compras insípido
Entre ciudades sofisticadas
Y, sabes, no hay nada
Que yo quiera comprar
Con los pocos “loonies”
Que me quedan.


Ahora, quisiera tener mas tiempo en
El Viejo Quebec, o contemplar
Las nubes caprichosas pasando sobre mí.
Pero, aquí estoy, en Drummondville.

Me fui al “Dollar Store”
Y efectivamente encontré más
De lo que yo esperaba:




Un bolsillito de “Minnie Mouse” para Ariella
Y 21 vasos pequeños de plástico
Para llenarlos de vino rojo
Y elevarlos hacia la luz
Para consagrar, en cierto modo
El tiempo que hemos compartido juntos
Arrullados, en este autocar



Antes que nuestro día
Muera en la noche.

Poem: Kay Weeks
Translated by Maria Festa and Aurora Harris

-----------------------------------------------------------

Quarante-cinq minutes a Drummondville

Nous voici encore, arrete, un mall
Entre 2 villes elegantes
Comme vous savez. Il n’y a rien

Que je veux acheter avec mes "loonies."

Maintenant, je voudrais plus de temps
a la vieille Quebec pour
regarder les nuages qui passent devant elevant moi.
Je suis allee au magasin de Dollar
Et j’ai trouve plus que je cherchais.

Un sac de Minnie pour
Ariella et 21 petits verres en
Plastiques pour remplir avec
Le vin rouge pour tenir a la
Lumiere et consecrer au temps
que nous avons passe’ ensemble.
Sur l’autobus que balance chaque
Jour avant que la nuit vienne.

Poem: Kay Weeks



Rachel Wentz, Eyre Tour Guide &
Translator






This poem was read, first in English,
then French, then Spanish
by three bus travelers
to the other travelers on the bus.
The wine, was not shared,
as planned, but the poem was.



Camilla has once again given her page to her feeder's poem about a recent bus tour
to Albany, NY, Montreal and Quebec, Canada. Thanks!

July 31, 2010

7 comments:

Kaye said...

It was good to see it illustrated and all together. Wonderful, as ever.

Anonymous said...

Great job, Kay. It looks wonderful and I shall never forget Drummondville because of you.
Rachael

Anonymous said...

I love your page. The poem is so good and I agree with what you said about
Old Ouebec such a wonderful place...

Cindi
Gettysburg, PA

danielle said...

Kay, how did you get it translated to French and Spanish? Nice.

Anonymous said...

Kay, very interesting, your blog archive. Enjoy the weekend before the hot summer days come. Maria

Anonymous said...

Kay, You have made a lasting impression on your traveling companions! Your poem certainly celebrates those 45 minutes!

Elaine in MA

Anonymous said...

Very visual in words and pictures. Now I know of Drummondville. You put it on the map with its strip mall.