Unit 3-Introductory Lesson: Albert Dumont Poetry [5]

[1] Albert Dumont’s “Sitting By the Rapids”

Where is the Bird 🐦

❓Questions 💬My Response
1. What effect does the repetition of the question 1. The repeated phrase "Where is the..." at the beginning of
“Where is the…” at the start of the first three verses the first three verses shows the poet's desperation and
have on the reader? What is the poet trying to convey implies that he lacks all the solutions and is instead
in repeating the question? looking for something more (power, courage, strength,
domination) to help improve his life.
2.Literary devices are prevalent in this poem. Choose
2 examples of imagery and explain the importance of 2. “Where is the lake I can wade into and emerge with a
the use of sensory detail. How does imagery help to heart filled with righteousness?” is an example of a
convey the poet’s experience? phrase that uses imagery to describe such a lake, where
the water is so thick and pure that you must make an
3.What is meant by the following: effort to walk through it as it purifies you of all your unjust
a. My friend, the lake you search for/Is any of actions and enlightens you on the attitudes that confirm
your territory.... the nature of the heart (honesty, kindness, love, etc).
b. The trial leading to the circle/Is the only trial Another illustration of imagery is "Where is the trail in the
necessary… thick woods going to the circle," which shows a forested
landscape with the scent of pine and wood engulfing
4. What does the poem mean to you? How does your your senses as it directs you in the direction of the
knowledge of First Nation, Metis or Inuit spirituality interconnectedness of all parts of one's existence. So in
help you to understand this poem? other words, a place where you feel safe

3. a) The expression of "any [lake] of your territory"

emphasizes that purifying yourself of all of your
unjustified behaviors is not reliant on one particular lake.
It is more reliant on other factors in order to feel
righteous.
b) This expression suggests that if you take the path and
grasp the circle, you will work hard. The circle signifies
the movement of life via fullness, interconnection, and
balance and how all facets of one's life are intertwined,
especially the relationship with nature.

4. The poet's yearning for strength, courage, power, and

supremacy is highlighted in this poem. The poet aspires
to improve upon himself and turn into the eagle in his
environment. Understanding First Nations, Metis, and
Inuit cultures helped me to comprehend this poem since I
am aware of how important their traditions, culture, and
heritage are to them. This poem can be expressing the
poet's desire to rekindle his relationship with these
components, which are important to who he is.

[2] Our Young People 👦

1.How does the poem “our young people” voice the 1. The poem "our young people" highlights the strength of
strength of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people? First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people by emphasizing
how their knowledge is a kind of power and that "they will
2.What is meant by the use of the simile “our young not be stopped" because of their ability to see the
people...are like the dawning of a long anticipated connectivity of all things. They will keep up the battle and
spring?” push their way into society because they won't let their
voices go unheard or unappreciated for what they have
3.How does the poet’s voice reveal determination for to say.
the future?
2. The usage of this metaphor highlights the fact that these
young people possess knowledge and wisdom that is so
strong and influential that it cannot be stopped, much as
spring cannot be stopped (you cannot control the
seasons and jump straight to summer).

3. The poet's voice conveys a resolve for the future as he

emphasizes that Indigenous voices will continue to fight
for their voices to be heard and pass on their knowledge
to the next generation of youth in order for the wisdom of
Indigenous voices to continue to live on and touch the
lives of many others. This is because Indigenous voices
are strong and utterly refuse to be silenced.

[3] 👤Man of the Blackberry Moon🌜

1.The poet uses many examples of personification in 1. The poem's phrase "he heard the voices of medicine
nature to capture the importance of its identity. What beings 'your spirit is strong' they told him" is one instance
are two examples of personification and how do they of how nature is personified. This sentence adds to the
contribute to the poet’s experience? poet's experience since he was able to center himself by
taking the time to listen to the natural world around him,
2.What does the poet mean in the line for balance in which gave him mental clarity and gave him hope and
all things? strength to reclaim his identity. "His heart became a
guardian of sacred knowledge" is another instance of
3.The symbol of the circle is prevalent in many of the personification in play. The poet's connection to his
poet’s poems. surroundings and the illumination of nature that resulted
a. What do you feel it symbolizes for Indigenous from this use of personification filled his spirit and
people? opened his heart.
b. What connections to your own life can you
make to the symbol of the circle? 2. He stresses the need to live a balanced lifestyle by
saying, "for balance in all things," which involves
4.What do you feel are the teachings of the blackberry deciding what is most essential to you and allocating
moon? How does nature serve as a guide in your life? your time and energy accordingly. This is because too
much of anything can be harmful. While allowing you to
pay attention to your body's demands and preserve an
inner sense of tranquility in the midst of chaos, finding
balance in life enhances your general health.

3. a) According to my understanding, the circle reflects how

all facets of a person's life are intertwined, including their
relationship with nature. It also symbolizes how life
progresses via wholeness, connection, and balance.

b) In my life, a circle represents the idea of completion

and wholeness since, to me, it is a shape where
beginning and end meet, where nothing is lost in the
middle, and where everything is contained within its
 bounds.

4. The blackberry moon serves as a reminder that when

you cooperate with nature rather than fighting it, the
world is at peace. In a fast-paced, modern world, nature
acts as a guide by offering a sense of tranquility,
well-being, and a calming influence on the soul. In
addition to putting us back in our place when we cross
boundaries, nature can assist us in discovering our own
identities. It grounds us in our surroundings and forces
us to pause what we are doing in order to appreciate the
present.

[4] Spring 🌺
1.The poem spring uses many active verbs to convey 1. The active verb "mixing" in the phrase "Mixing with the
the meaning of the energy that nature has in one’s life. songs of birds" demonstrates how being in tune with the
Choose three active verbs and detail the contribution melodic tone of singing birds while also taking in all the
to the poem. other magnificent sights and sounds of nature can help
you feel at peace and at ease. “Spring spirit vibrates in
2.Describe how Dumont establishes a distinctive the hills and valleys.” The active verb "vibrates" in this
voice in his poetry? How does he modify language phrase highlights how nature and your surroundings may
and tone skillfully to connect to the audience and affect how you feel. The active word "descend" in the
convey purpose? phrase "Hope and renewal descend like falling rain"
shows how the hope and renewal (what you want out of
3.What is meant by the final line of the poem The life) is transferred from a higher position or level to a
spirits of our sacred bundles? What the poet is trying lower one.
to convey to his audience?
2. By emphasizing the difficult events that life throws at us
and the courage and optimism that emerges from facing
and overcoming them, Dumont builds a distinctive voice
in his poetry. By utilizing the strength and effect of words
and reflecting the knowledge of forests, rivers, animals,
elders, and children, he writes to promote healing. He
makes use of nature's ability to awe the audience and
serve as a constant reminder that humans are a small
part of a much larger whole.

3. The phrase "The spirits of our sacred bundles" refers to

the assortment of precious items in our lives that guide
us through life with serenity, equilibrium, health, and
wellness while serving as a constant reminder of the
value and force of nature.

[5] 🍃Leaf-Bearing Trees🌲

1.The first verse contrasts the second verse: 1. a) The first verse's leaf-bearing trees represent a
a. What symbolism does the first verse convey? person's deceptive façade. People are capable of giving
b. How does the second verse contrast in the off deceptive appearances, where they "appear to be in a
first? state of growing weakness," but yet have a powerful
c. How does the line I am as a leaf-bearing tree inner strength.
provide a transition. What does the transition b) Because the second verse is written in the first person
symbolize? rather than the third and shows power and wisdom rather
than weakness and illusion, it contrasts with the first
2.What does the poet mean in the line, I am a verse.
leaf-bearing tree? What hope does this metaphor c) The strength and development of the leaf-bearing tree
provide to the audience? and the identity and development of the poet are
contrasted in this phrase. The shift shows that, despite
3.This poem is placed at the end of Dumont’s initially appearing worn down and weak, he is actually full
Anthology. In your opinion, why would it be placed of strength as he becomes closer to the land and learns
towards the end of the anthology? more than he did in his youth.

2. In this passage, the poet likens himself to a tree that

bears leaves, emphasizing that while appearing to be
weakening, these trees are just as powerful as they were
before. There is strength concealed behind what appears
to be weakness, especially if one is connected to their
surroundings, spirituality, and identity while also gaining
insight over time.

3. This poem, in my opinion, is positioned toward the end of

the collection because it offers readers a significantly
deeper understanding of identity, knowledge, strength,
and progress, enabling us to comprehend both Albert
Dumont's experiences and the identities of Indigenous
peoples. The poem condenses and gathers many of his
important and enduring ideas to give the anthology a
solid conclusion.

Reflection Questions about Albert Dumont’s poems:

1. How does the poet use words to convey his voice?

The poet employs a variety of stylistic and literary tactics to enrich his work and better
communicate the message he is attempting to get across to the audience by using words to
express his voice. He emphasizes how difficult situations in life may give us courage and hope
as we face and go through them. By utilizing the strength and influence of words and reflecting
nature's wisdom, he writes to promote healing. This reminds us that humanity is a small part of
a larger picture and helps the audience feel more connected to their environment.

2. What questions would you ask Dumont about his approach to writing poetry?
Why did you decide to concentrate on the impact that nature has on people as opposed to the
impact that people have on one another? Do you enjoy writing? How long does it typically take
to write a poem? What did you discover when you wrote your poems? Do you collaborate with
others on your writing? Do you conduct extensive study before creating a poem, or are they
solely drawn from personal experience?

3. How does Dumont use structure to reflect his spiritual journey?

By expressing the sense of being lost/off-track, unconnected, or in quest of something at the
beginning of the poem, Dumont employs structure to mirror his spiritual journey. However, by
the time his poems are finished, we have a better grasp of identification, learning, and
development, which helps us to comprehend Albert Dumont's experiences as well as the
identities of the Indigenous people. Each poetry guides us on a path of self-discovery and
self-identification while illuminating us with knowledge that ties us to the outside world.