2nd place
Marc Gauthier
cascpdia@globetrotter.net

TOTEM

French

The life on the Gaspe Coast
The mountains, sea, and rivers
The thousand year's rock
And forgotten currents
The power of water impresses me
The musical enchantment when she dances
My soul is touched
I feel good, I do little
Just being with her
Everything so simple and I know
That without, I'm lost
My life depends...

One more cast, maybe this time
I'll be the one
Of the silver arrow, a living thing
With simple destiny, so fascinating
Another cast, to be closer
Another eternal journey, that I can put with the moments

Oh, surely, we don't see each other every day
Like a passionate love, it's so good when we get together
So many sensations in sport fishing

And then, there are the vessels that float on the water,
Fast, strong arms on the poles
Always in a quest
The poetry is there always present
Looking at birds, see the mountains
Under your feet, the silver bodies
You know that today you'll release them all
Because what's important is to find yourself
Alone or in good company
Sometimes, nature roars
To remind you that you are only human
To give you a dose of reality
See anyways the creativity
Realize that you are alone
Turn back "to your shelter"
Sometimes, the solitude is so sweet and you feel good
Nature is your friend and is with you all along
Love it, cherish it,
The clouds sometime put you in the dark
And the future is uncertain
Will this icon return to its river?
Always, the miracle is accomplished
Sometimes in lesser number
Reminding us of a fragility
Their part of a whole
Where man can change everything
And if ever salmon disappear
It would be the beginning of a sure hunger
Our freedom attacked

Salmon is my totem
It personifies perseverance
Assure us of a new beginning
It would never let go
An example for all mankind

Population and protection cannot be taken lightly
They have to meet in the reality
Our role?
How may we ask?
Let's put all our hearts, mind, and resources
See throughout the world what would help
And from the people who are living off it
The solution must come
From the ocean's Pasture to the spawning ground
Of the magnificent river
In brotherhood and sharing our ressources,
The human race will help salmon to survive

In many places it's already too late
We have to stay agile

Long life to the King, King of fish, Salmo Salar

Marc Gauthier New Richmond, 2004