Songs of
Kenneth Leslie

List
Halifax Citadel
Prospect Road
Glooscap's Eye
Go, Lank Rover
John Angus
California
Cape Breton Lullaby

DEDICATION

Some day when you grow up you will discover the reason you and I must stay apart- my madcap dancer, my haphazard lover- will find it in your own too ready heart, impetuous feet, too eager lips and eyes, that ever look and ever headlong run to touch the face of beauty, will be wise too late and sprawl your length, as I have done. I think I hear you now. The gathering gray lifts from my mind this instant to a sweet and shrill inconsequence; the inspired play of histrionic fancy, the frenzied beat of your original hornpipe makes me glad I had you, son, the little time I had. From Love Sonnets by Stubborn Stars by Kenneth Leslie Ryerson Press 1938 

BY STUBBORN STARS Governor General's Award 1938

Once as I watched the clear air of your eyes the shadow of a wildly beating wing touched the horizon of our candid skies and broke their brightness with sharp winnowing; passion was swift upon us, sweeping us clean into the strait beyond the harbour wall; the hooded hurricane curled, the raging green swallowed the light, swallowed the bell's call. And yet, not even when the reef had swung, slow and implacable, its iron gate out, out against us till we heard its tongue clicking the cruel knowledge of our fate, would I believe its stupid blinding lies, remembering the clear air of your eyes.