Volume 14, Number 79, June/July 2011
BC Place, Vancouver
by Elizabeth Symon

White and unfurled against the skies
The sails appear to swell and dip,
As if then hoisted they’d arise
And take you on an ocean trip.

Come closer to them and you’ll find
The sails are not as they appear.
They are cemented to the site,
A landmark seen from far and near.

They cannot take you overseas
Nor even to the farther shore.
They’re not moved by a passing breeze,
To stay put’s what they’ve been made for.

They stand a welcome sight to greet
The ships that come here to BC
Where sail and steam once used to meet,
But clippers are now history.

You’d be reminded of the past
To see that row of sails in flight,
For often a tall ship and mast
Was quite a common harbour sight.

The sails were part of EXPO too.
Which brought the whole world to BC,
First on the tourists’ list to view,
Part of their Fair itinerary.

For two decades the sails have been
The photo stop that tops the list
For visitors who choose the scene
As one that is not to be missed.

But on a sad note, I’ll be brief.
The sails seem dipping in midair
As flags at half mast, to show grief
For a young worker fallen there.

Upon the surface of a sail
You may see a raindrop appear,
Our BC weather without fail,
But it could also be a tear.