Indian Summer

Classic Canadian Poem Reinterpreted by Local Artist
150th Anniversary of the Birth of Poet William Wilfred Campbell

The Ginger Press is proud to announce the release of Indian Summer, a full colour children’s book written by William Wilfred Campbell with remarkable paintings by contemporary Owen Sound artist Louise Moore. Poet William Wilfred Campbell was born 150 years ago (on June 1st, 1858).

Written in 1881, Indian Summer is an ode to autumn inspired by the mist-shrouded “smoky” cliffs and “crimson” forests around the Owen Sound area. Poet William Wilfred Campbell wrote this famous poem while working in the area as a teacher, and generations of Canadian schoolchildren have memorized it as part of their back-to-school fall curriculum.

Artist Louise Moore has reinterpreted Indian Summer as a delightful walk in the woods with a young girl accompanied by her faithful dog. Moore says, “William Wilfred Campbell’s poem is as vibrant as the generations of children and their dogs who have explored this landscape’s vistas, woods, marshes and brooks.”

An exhibition of the original paintings from the book are currently on exhibit at The Ginger Press. Autographed copies of Indian Summer ($14.95) can be reserved at 519 376-4233.

Indian Summer
Along the line of smoky hills
The crimson forest stands
And all the day the blue jay sings
Throughout the autumn lands.

Now by the brook the maple leans
With all his glory spread
And all the sumachs on the hills
Have turned their green to red.

Now by great marshes wrapt in mist
Or past some river’s mouth
Throughout the long, still autumn day
Wild birds are flying south.
- William Wilfred Campbell