The Qualicum Beach Museum is asking residents to polish off their poetry skills.
Manager Netanja Waddell is asking for poem submissions for the museum to use in a future exhibit, as well as for them to share on social media. She’s especially encouraging seniors and students to participate in the project.
“The idea is to put a call out to the community during this time of confinement to reflect on life here in Qualicum Beach and what it brings up for them,” said Waddell. “We thought poetry is great way to express that.”
The idea popped into her head after she stumbled on a poem by Geoff Smith. He was the son of Alex Smith, the groundskeeper of the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course from 1952 to 1981.
READ MORE: PQBeat Podcast: Qualicum Beach Museum manager Netanja Waddell
It’s included at the beginning of Qualicum Beach; A History, written by Brad Wylie.
Here’s an excerpt of the poem:
The pebbles moved beneath me as I strolled along her curving shore,
I rode on crests of memories, where many years before,
I had walked this path which I did now,
But it had somehow stayed the same,
Looking back I realized it was I who had changed,
Not the landscape nor its frame.
The waves still lap on sand and stone across a mile or two,
And the trees still sway in a gentle breeze,
While gulls will do what gulls will do,
Its picture perfect setting call out for everyone to see…
Waddell said anyone who wants to take part can email qbmuseum@shaw.ca with a video of them reading their poem or it written out in the body of the message. She said teachers in the district are welcome to use the project as an educational tool, and can also ask for more information at the above email address.