Gisèle Merlet is a French Canadian VIU student working towards a minor in Creative Writing and a minor in English. In 2005, she graduated with an undergrad degree in Liberal Arts Studies. As a senior student, she enjoys reading, writing, walking, and being part of the social life on VIU Campus.“This poem was inspired by the conditions of young people living on the street of Nanaimo and Vancouver,” says Merlet. “We tend to see the beauty of our surroundings but forget about the difficulties of living on the streets for a segment of our population.”
The Mountains Appear Beautiful and Lush
The mountains appear beautiful and lush.
Not for the ones living on the streets again,
The desperate boys and girls who busk
And grow stale soaked and drenched in the rain.
Not for the ones living on the streets again,
As rampant blackberry bushes not quite ripe yet
And grow stale soaked and drenched in the rain.
Garments and waders as well forever wet.
As rampant blackberry bushes not quite ripe yet
Who wish for the appearance of a glorious sun.
Garments and waders as well forever wet.
Sunshine and heat superseding the day’s vacuum.
Who wish for the appearance of a glorious sun.
Where one can lie and appear happy,
Sunshine and heat superseding the day’s vacuum.
Cloudy day-to-day drives one and all crazy.
Where one can lie and appear happy,
Not a care in the world forever.
Cloudy day-to-day drives one and all crazy.
Madness comes closer, closer, ever.
Not a care in the world forever.
The desperate boys and girls who busk
Madness comes closer, closer, ever.
The mountains appear beautiful and lush.