Indian Head, Saskatchewan

INDIAN HEAD, SASKATCHEWAN Used to live in Indian Head - never heard of it ? An island of trees on the treeless prairie railway; Unchanging oasis in a semi desert; Small town bypassed by the Transcanada Highway. Long trains with whistles in the night - Coast-to-coast tracks and grain elevator. Transcanada Voyageur truckstop, modern, bright: Gas-up, eat, and on your way in a half-hour. Bused tables there and learned to distinguish Loud Americans from quiet Canadians: Glad of the job, worked with relish - Sleepy town with few options. Nearby experimental farm (worked there too) Grew trees for farmers; and every house in town Had its stolen share of a tree or two - While the prairie was empty around. 300-foot long-lots, with hot dry black soil, and June bugs in the evening summer twilight. Winter snow that sifts like white sand Through the stolen trees in each garden bright. Perfect blue sky all year round, like heaven: Air of sleepiness, abandoned, forgotten: Nothing changed since about 1927: Old man on seat probably hasn’t moved since then. Across dry meadow north of dusty “Water Street”, Houses moved on trucks: cracked frames below and above, Paint peeling off in the sun. Endless repeat - Repainted, repaired, extended - with love.