Twelve Hokku on a Canadian Theme 1 — Summary

The speaker notices water lilies—pale gold and ivory blossoms—floating on remote Canadian lakes, and the sight feels almost uncanny. The word “strangely” carries the whole moment: these delicate, cup-shaped flowers seem too fine and fragile for such wild, empty surroundings. They hover like small treasures on the dark water. The mood is quiet and contemplative, closer to wonder than confusion. There is no human activity, only a brief, still glance at nature that makes something ordinary feel mysterious. The contrast between the polished colors of the lilies and the untamed landscape leaves a sense of gentle awe, as if the speaker has stumbled onto a lovely secret in the middle of nowhere.