for 170 years my family has lived on its banks we've been brigemen, river rats, bootleggers, a maternal connection went ovre the falls in a row boat, my great grandfather fought in the Fenian Raid in 1866.
only 35 miles long there are more stories per mile ... but this
poem is about the River itself...
or is it?
-- 30 --
You hardly know where the river
rises out of the lake, it just begins
between Ft. Erie and Buffalo.
It flows around Grand and Navy Islands
past the Tonawandas and Chippewa
down to the twin cities called the Falls.
On flows the Niagara
down the upper rapids then
down,
inevitable as death or gravity,
down, 168 feet into the great gorge.
All is changed in thunder and in spray:
northward it flows deep and narrow
and mysterious through Whirlpool Rapids,
The Whirlpool, and the Devil’s Hole.
Northward the river runs between the Giants:
Beck on the west; Moses on the east.
Leaving the shadow of the gorge
between Lewiston and Queenstown
On flows the Niagara ‘til
on past Niagara-on-the-Lake
and Youngstown it disappears:
As it rising is cryptic so too is its end:
after so eventful a career flowing
from one eternity to be lost in another
Hi John, I've been to the Niagara Falls three times, and each time I feel in love with it more. This bit of info about the N. river makes it even more appealing..Thank you so much.
Jenni
It flows and splashes and run wild in my head...and I can see a rainbow right ar the othe end...and I see swaying trees in the wind...Awesomely vivid write John!!
You took me right there!!
Love Tinka
Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)
Reviewed on August 29, 2003
John, I always welcome being transported when reading.. away, into the poem.. Without fail, you have always taken me into your words and places... but never more than with this one. This is simply magnificent! Oh, and I'd love to hear more about your reference to the fenians, as it regards your ancestors.. if you have time. (smile) I am a student of Irish history.. a passionate lover of all things Irish, though I haven't a drop in me. You write with the charm, honesty and sheer beauty of the wind. katy.
Northward the river runs between the Giants:
Beck on the west; Moses on the east.
Leaving the shadow of the gorge
between Lewiston and Queenstown
On flows the Niagara ‘til
on past Niagara-on-the-Lake
and Youngstown it disappears:
As it rising is cryptic so too is its end:
after so eventful a career flowing
from one eternity to be lost in another
Visuals are powerful.. Just takes the reader where you mind is.. in the flowing waters of your poetry.. EXCELLENT
This book consists of a 150 pages of Christian poetry about the end of time and the Second coming of Jesus Christ not as a servant but as a King, the King of kings. To bring righteousness and peace to the earth and restore the government of God! Peac
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Jenni
Julie :)
You took me right there!!
Love Tinka
Northward the river runs between the Giants:
Beck on the west; Moses on the east.
Leaving the shadow of the gorge
between Lewiston and Queenstown
On flows the Niagara ‘til
on past Niagara-on-the-Lake
and Youngstown it disappears:
As it rising is cryptic so too is its end:
after so eventful a career flowing
from one eternity to be lost in another
Visuals are powerful.. Just takes the reader where you mind is.. in the flowing waters of your poetry.. EXCELLENT
Reindeer
Shy
May Lu a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)