Rapids Ahead
I hear the canyon echo the cascading eddies’ volume,
Growing louder as I paddle closer to run the descent,
To enter the lake past water, hidden rocks, and seething foam,
While an eagle soaring the gorge shrieks an impending portent.
The walls are too steep for portaging the cataract in front,
So either I seek another route or forge on straight ahead.
To challenge destiny bewilders the passive goer’s want
When serenity in life is a more secure goal instead.
Cannot the way be more perilous when fate meets its limits?
I glide my canoe between the boulders, avoiding the onslaught
Of being ripped to shreds when thrown about in the driving rapids;
I break, turn with the oar this way and that and never ease off!
Then my fear subsides when the waters calm as I ride the crest;
I’ve come this far and have further to go before I can rest.
Categories:
portaging, adventure, endurance, perspective,
Form: Lyric
Chapter 9: Portaging Older Dams
Eleven Minnesota dams we had to portage
All without clear use for folks today
But as the Mississippi is a ‘navigable’ river.
Owners are required by law to transport boats
Around these artificial barriers to ‘commerce’
And ‘social intercourse’ (like our canoe.)
This can make the dam owners hard to find!
Most of these dams backed up water only
For short distances, historic nuisances today,
Maintained only now to prevent further damage
To the altered ecosystem they themselves created,
A rare incidence of business being held responsible.
Or a clever ruse to avoid the real clean up costs?
It’s hard to trust that anyone alive is not ‘Me! Me! Me!’
But the owner’s of the dam with the three mile
Impassible boulder field below it won our praise.
A pickup was sent with two strong men
Who picked up the canoe gear and all,
Slipped it into the back, and tied it down.
Within an hour we were back in the water,
Paddling downstream with the current.
Brian Johnston
October 28, 2014
Categories:
portaging, boat, dream, journey, nature,
Form: Blank verse