This poem (also called “Said the Canoe”) is about the journey of life as it’s celebrated through nature’s challenges, conveying both strength and harmony with the natural world. My masters twain made me a bed Of pine-boughs resinous, and cedar; Of moss, a soft and gentle breeder Of dreams of rest ; and me they spread With furry skins, and laughing said, “Now she shall lay her polish’d sides, As queens do rest, or dainty brides,Our slender lady of the tides !” My masters twain their camp-soul lit, Streamed incense from the hissing cones, Large, crimson flashes grew and whirl’d Thin, golden nerves of sly light curl’d Round the dun…