One of our 2015 interpreters, Michelle Glavic, was inspired by Laura's story (and her homestead, of course!) to pen this lovely poem in her honour. As it is the anniversary of Secord's famous walk, we figured it would be a good time to share it. Happy Monday!
An Ode to Laura Secord
Laura
Secord,
a
name of courage and strength,
A
name as noble as thee,
echoes
through the mountain peaks,
and
sails through the fiercest of winds.
If
one listens closely,
one
will hear
her
name bellow beneath the deepest of seas.
Chanting:
Laura the greatest heroine that Canada has ever seen.
She
is a rarity.
A
character to be remembered and honoured-
for
the ages.
Though
her father was a Patriot
and
bled the stripes and stars
Laura
married James,
who
was a proud servant of King George.
He
fought for the common wealth,
a
battle fought upon Queenston Heights
and
from this,
he
was forever damaged with many scars.
For
any of those with even a hint of doubt
Just
know that it was the Union Jack
that
was proudly displayed
upon
the Secord land.
What
was spoken were the intentions of an all too eager American Captain,
Who
took what little the Secord's had.
Her
heart must have sank,
like
a vessel with no less than a thousand holes,
when
she overheard their plans
to
conquer her new homeland.
It
was Laura herself
who
marched in late spring
the
year of 1813.
The
weather was hot
even
blistering.
Laura
had nothing, not a map
nor
compass
to
keep her aligned.
For
she was propelled by the will
by
her own might
to
protect this land.
Though
born on foreign terrain
she
proved through action,
that
she was willing to do,
what
few others,
even
those born and bred upon the land,
would
not dare.
It
was Laura,
a
mother of five,
Who
ventured out in the tangled wilderness,
Risking
all that she had-
her
life.
Through
the tumultuous horrors and many qualms,
the
snakes and foxes,
and
all other beasts of the bush.
The
Americans,
and
the element of unknown- the Natives.
Friend
or foe?
Laura
did not know.
Through
sheer luck
or
whatever have you,
Laura
ran into Native friends of the Empire
they
led the way to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon
and
what few men he had.
Yet
it was these few men who captured the near 600 enemies
and
two field cannons.
The
Battles of Beaverdams,
though
acted out by men and musket
was
determined by a woman,
of
small stature nonetheless.
For
valour knows not gender,
nor
height.
For
Laura had conquered them both.
She
had of most importance,
helped
to defeat
the
rising mighty republic of rebellious spirits.
She
dashed their hopes with one long walk.
Their
hopes of Manifest Destiny.
For
Laura had a destiny of her own,
to
help save Canada,
and
keep her loyal to the Crown.
Bravery
transcends national borders
For
even thy enemies should admire what you have achieved.
Just
as I admire the feats of foreigners.
A
universal recognition is given to thy name,
Laura.
And
as you rest upon Drummond Hill,
may
these words resonate
within
thy bones and eternal spirit
Laura,
We
do not forget,
We
remember and salute you!
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