The Great Canadian Poem by Derek R. Audette

Canada:
the great land
and Canadians:
the great people

for a Canadian never dies —
never has to die

only their dogs do

and that is the true tragedy
of the strong Canadian people

now,
I could have written that
just to be
needlessly
cryptic

or,
perhaps not

perhaps it speaks
deeply
about the
Canadian character
in ways you will
never
understand

perhaps
it explains all you need to know
but could never hope to realize

I'm a Canadian

and

I'm looking forward
to my
impending immortality

But,
I weep for the fate of
both my
beloved
mongrel cur
and my
regal
pure-bred
hound


but,
pay no attention

I speak in mysteries
and lash out great nonsense
from my tongue