Early April On The 401 Poem by Deanna Samuels

Joining the 401 at Whitby
pointed car east on motorway.
Soon was out of urban city centers
some country, then drove by Port Hope.
Almost, it seemed, in a flash,
Cobourg came up and was gone
as though only seconds had passed.

Noticed, on looking around roadside
not a hint, not even a patch
of snow was left to be seen.
All gone, melted away
during the last few days
as though secretly, silently
fading away into oblivion
knowing it's time was done.

But - what was left?
Debris and garbage lined the route
Stuff thrown from cars and trucks
Hidden of course from view
being under snow for months.

Above ground too, caught up and
entwined about bare tree branches
long fraying streamers of toilet rolls
flapping and waving in the wind.
Maybe fairly soon, a day set aside
for roadside and country clean-up
when hundreds of volunteers
don boots and rubber gloves,
filling up plastic sacks to the brim.

Before one could bat an eye lid
the Big Apple store came and went,
a great place to stop by in summertime
to purchase delicious apple pies and lunch.

Trenton loomed and then on to the 33.
Prince Edward County beckoned,
the drive encountered farms and wineries,
so many small wineries - lost count.
On to final destination - the Eono Art Gallery.


Written along the 401 and into Prince Edward County, Ontario
-2nd April 2022.