Look out from the top
of the Gatineau Hills,
lean over the stone wall
at the Parkway's edge
and cover the whole expanse
of glittering green
in one wide sweep
know, without tracking it
how the river bends
twists through fields
that lie like pillows
on their limestone bed,
how roads stitch between

One glance, it's all there

And then, pick a leaf
from the ivy on the wall
cup it in your fingers
trace the fine veins
bend closer
see

The whole wide valley
focus
in a green beam
along a slender rib

ray out to the rim