The Little White Church

The Little White Church The little white church engulfed by the immensity Of Western Hemlock, Red Cedar, and Douglas Fir On Nootka Island in Nootka Sound Confirms the remoteness of the Yuquot Village On the west coast of Vancouver Island. The green of the trees towering above and around Glorifies the whitewashed wood of the chapel. Surrounding the path leading to the entrance Are coastal ferns leaning as if pointing the way, Akin to a Westminster Abbey in the rainforest. The windowless facade structure faces the ocean As a defence against the wind’s many directional forces, While crosses protected in the yard by a picket fence Bear testimony to Christ’s presence Among the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations. Above the door to the house of God, A steeple rises with a cross on top And a bell that tolls to call the “people of the deer” Of Friendly Cove to gather, worship, and pray In Jesus Christ’s name, Lord and Saviour. *** Note: “The Little White Church” is an ekphrastic poem describing the painting of a local church located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, by Canadian artist Emily Carr (1871–1945) entitled “Native Church” (1929).