Hello and welcome to Prosery at the pub. Mish here from mishunderstood, happy to be your host.

This is your opportunity to write a short piece of prose that incorporates a given line of poetry. You may break up the line with punctuation or capitalization, add words to the beginning or end of it, but you cannot insert words within the given line itself. Prosery can be flash fiction, non fiction or creative non fiction. It usually reads like a story with a beginning, middle and ending. 144 words is the maximum length for this challenge, not including the title. Those are the rules. Now let’s get started!

A few weeks ago, I was thrilled to watch the CBC rebroadcasting of The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration. It has been ten years since the iconic Canadian rock group performed their final show with front man, Gordon Downie. You may or may not of heard of the man, but he is a household name in Canada. Though he was best known as lead vocal for the band, he was also a poet, songwriter, storyteller and activist. Gordon Downie’s stage presence was extremely charismatic and expressive. His lyrics have been described as cryptic, atmospheric, and abstract. At the same time, many of his songs include references to Canadian towns, landscapes, historical events and culture.

Besides Downie’s successful career as a musical artist, he was known for an impactful multimedia project. Secret Path chronicles the tragic story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year old Anishinaabe boy who died on October 22, 1966 of exposure, trying to walk home after escaping residential school in northern Ontario. There are three components to the project – a graphic novel, illustrated by Jeff Lemire, Downie’s final album and an animated film all of which connect to tell the story of Wenjack.

Proceeds from the project support the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation and the Gordon Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, focusing on reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The dark history of the residential school system has come further into light due to the passion and dedication of Gordon Downie. His efforts were acknowledged by the Order of Canada in June 2017. During an emotional ceremony, the Assembly of First Nations honoured him with an eagle feather and spirit name, “Wicapi Omani” (Man who walks among the stars). He truly did and does. Sadly, Downie succumbed to brain cancer in October 2017 at the age of 52.

Downie produced one book of poetry, titled “Coke Machine Glow” that accompanied an album of the same name. In typical Gordon style, his lines are quirky, philosophical, witty and whimsical. They cover subjects of loneliness, life on the road, family and politics. I received the book a few years ago as a gift.

For today’s prosery challenge, I am choosing a line from his poem, “Starpainters”. For me, this one feels like a surreal levitation experience, with a widening aerial view of earth. The ending was an unexpected landing…or was it? I would love to hear your interpretation.

Starpainters

by Gordon Downie

The myth is neither here nor there,

from the air.

Just blue lake stains

on green and purified parcelled squares:

a crazy quilt of spearmint,

of mustard and honey tones;

a scuffed-up kitchen floor of tiles

on top of bones

with a big trap door.

Towns down diagonal lines disappear

and drop out of sight

into the night beyond the national night,

and underneath the grit and glare

into unfettered nothingness and thin air,

as herds of clouds lazily graze

on thermal sighs of delight.

The Starpainters are taking over now,

their scaffolding is in its place,

Your anesthesiologist tonight

is washing up and on her way.

Here is the line to include in your Prosery:

The Starpainters are taking over now

Here’s how to join in:

• Write a piece of prose, up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line.
• Post your prose on your blog or website.
• Click on Mr.Linky to add your name and direct url to your prose.
• Provide a link to dVerse so others can join in too.
• Please visit the work of others to read and comment.
• Drop into the pub to say hello. We are a friendly bunch.
• Enjoy!