The Carpathians - University of British Columbia

S h a r i
A n d r e w s
Instructions to the Intending Emigrant
(after reading N.B. as a Home For Emigrants, J.V. Ellis, i860; N.B.
Information for Intending Settlers, Hon. Michael Adams Surveyor
General, 1879; and Facts for the Information of Intending Emigrants,
Samuel Watts, 1870. )
To see the light of day
you must go into the wilderness
"between 45 degrees and 48 degrees
20' North latitude and between
64 degrees and 67 degrees
30' west longitude" (1)
where the years are piled in layers;
rich robes of fallen leaves,
skin covering the dark stones
and the bones left lying
where their last breath was drawn.
The earth rises here as high
as eight hundred feet; ocean waves
that fall away suddenly,
a rug pulled out from under you.
The tall trees: maple, birch, fir and spruce
blot out the sun. And birds
swoop and call. Both wings
and branches are thick hairs on a head.
Keep in mind, the frost
that cuts to the bone, lasts only
two or three days at a time,
and is a sword slicing clay and loam,
ploughing up the soil even as you sleep.
Take with you only:
"a cross-cut saw
a one inch augur
a one-and-one-half inch augur
a hammer or hatchet
apeevy
1 tin bake-oven