Monday, August 9, 2021
In Memory of Professor Archie Young, a noble man and great teacher with dignity and generosity and one who devoted his life to dialogues between different cultures.
When I asked Archie “who are Canadians?” his answer was “If you paddle a canoe into forest, enjoy camping in forest alone for a week, and back home, then you are called a Canadian!” That time, I was a newcomer from Korea to Canada and a student studying ‘Writing 201’ at English Department, UWO; and Archie was going to retire from the university soon. Since then, we together had enjoyed canoe trips deep into the Algonquin Park, North of Ontario.
Archie also offered me private lessons of reciting Canadian poems at his beautiful home during weekend days. According to him, one of the best ways to learn a new language was to get oneself familiar with the ‘music of the language.” And the best way to get familiar with ‘music of English’ was, Archie told me, ‘reciting English poems of Canadian poets.
Archie, I feel very grateful that I was one of your friends. Your mind will be with us in everyday life. And your passion and devotion will be remembered for long.
I wish you eternal peace in the heaven!
Your student and friend, Taeil
PS: I would like to share here one of poems that Archie introduced me.
THE CANOE, TOO
By Fred Wah
there is all that talk about northern waters
lakes with canoes sliding silently over the cold glass surfaces
in the moonlight
and a mountain rising to the moon in its ice and snow
the rocky shore and its cold dry branches of driftwood waiting
for you to return alone in the still night
shimmering darkness
there is all that talk of this
and the mind wanders there is a canoe language carries
like a picture framing you in the black ice water
there is all this kind of talk and your listen to the words
the northern lakes freeze
over the ice snow covers the valley
and all the trees
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