October 4, 1972

The Niagara River is no muddy creek;
Through it flows a quarter of the fresh
Water of the world. Six billion pounds
Of water a minute pass the spot where

The Rainbow Bridge casts its arch
Nine hundred and fifty feet across the
Gorge. Five thousand five hundred tons
Of steel soar, as graceful as gullflight.

I paid my toll, then hesitated an instant,
I had crossed before, for play, for school
For solace – this was no two way passage
This was an ending and a beginning

Behind the comforts of family, friends, failure –
Ahead challenge, uncertainty, the promise,
Only, of happiness. I snapped the car in gear,
Julius in a ‘65 Chev crossing amongst the tourists.