Poems by Susan McMaster

Yeast

This is for all
the things we start on,
hold like a ball of
unrisen dough
warm in our hands,
imagine the loaf
risen, baked,
glazed and golden,
sitting there on the table
ready to share
with others drawn
to the sweet, yeasty smell
of two friends succeeding
in putting away
against tomorrow’s hunger – one
sunny afternoon, two women
who pause
to stir together
the plain, ancient mix
of water, and grain
then draw from the air
where it always waits
the yeast, to join
with our kneading hands
to make this live –
this loaf we see so clearly
waiting to rise.

Ottawa poet Susan McMaster has published some 40 poetry books and word music recordings. She founded Branching Out, Canada’s first national
feminist/arts magazine; and Waging Peace: Politics & Political Action, which brought poetry and art from across Canada to Parliament. She’s a
former president of the League of Canadian Poets.

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