They stand alone
in vast tundra landscapes,
signposts, boundary markers,
custodians of sacred space –
as they have been for thousands of years.
And yet today
they have become popular,
perhaps cheapened –
something to make by a roadway
or on a stony beach,
sometimes to promote a function or locality.
We have two inukshuks in our front garden,
reminders of Canadian visits and friends,
but also for their historic message -
here is where we are, this is our space
and it is sacred to us.
We have had a lifelong, special interest in Canada, visiting there a number of times and accumulating wonderful Canadian friends and memories. Over several trips, we have driven the whole distance from Vancouver to Nova Scotia - something that most Canadians have not done. Sadly, age and the current global situation mean that we will not go there again.
Inukshuks met in our travels around Bruce Peninsula.