Canoeing the Mississippi - Part 11

Chapter 11: The Problem with Lakes Canoes and larger lakes don’t mix well I’m afraid, The rough equivalent of a margarita and a toothpick. On the Mississippi a lake means a dam somewhere, The scenic route buried now under dam water Its prurient writhing now veiled from prying eyes By puritanical hedonists more interested in flood control And water reserves, than glacial art or Sculptor’s knife of water. The placid appearance of a lake is modern quicksand For a loaded canoe with its low running boards, The wake of pleasure craft the worst as dilettantanti In power’s limits, rush to greet you, cameras flashing. The huge commercial barges pushed by true power craft With opposing twin screws, create almost no wake at all, But neither can they stop on a dime, so best stay clear. Many Mississippi lakes cannot be seen across And though the shortest path from entrance to egress May be obvious to you, it may not be the wisest choice. A day’s weather can change in minutes, who’s to warn you, And some lakes can take hours to cross, what’s Plan B? You’ve no flight plan, the lake may be deserted, who’ll miss you, And a sudden wind’s waves on a large lake can kill you. Brian Johnston October 29, 2014