Good Stuff


Sunrise at Priest Lake....................by Tom Heffernan

Where'er thou sail'st with me,
Though now thou climbest loftier mounts,
And fairer rivers dost ascend,
Be thou my Muse, my Brother ......

I am bound, I am bound, for a distant shore,
By a lonely isle, by a far Azore,
There it is, there it is, the treasure I seek,
On the barren sands of a desolate creek.

I sailed up a river with a pleasant wind,
New lands, new people, and new thoughts to find;
Many fair reaches and headlands appeared,
And many dangers were there to be feared;
But when I remember where I have been,
And the fair landscapes that I have seen,
THOU seemest the only permanent shore,
The cape never rounded, nor wandered o'er.

                                                     Thoreau


Here is a little poem I wrote nearly 20 years ago while sitting at my desk working for the Corporate Masters.......

There once was a hermit named Dave
Who built him a floating cave
To the river he went
By himself was he sent
Goodbye to this world he did wave

For peace and tranquility did he search
The waters became his church
For subsistence he fished
And never once wished
To return to a civilized perch


Here is an award winner poem my daughter Cathy wrote, after spending the day on my boat brailing for mussells with me.........

A Mussell shell clamped down tight,
afraid to open and see the sights.

Water flowing over, sweet and light.

The water whispers, "There's no need
for fright. Let go of thyself and
explore life's delights."

Mussell, feeling the calm waves of the water,
begins to open and knows it will obey.

Mussell slightly opens its shell
seeing the water and knows it means well.

Prompting, the water says, "Come a little
farther from out of thy shell.
I have lots to show you
and plenty to tell."

Mussell opening more and more
while water tells of many other shores.

Water says to Mussell, "Open slightly more
and I will take you to those other shores,
where you and I will explore."

Mussell says to water, "That would be grand, but
I am still a bit afraid. Tell me of what
will happen to us at the end of the day."

Water assuringly replies, "There is no need to
be afraid. Here am I and here I will stay,
encircled about you to guide you just one
more day."


Here is a really great poem from my website partner Tim Powell:
I wrote this for my Mother-in-law's first boat ride on Izona!! She was scared to death of the river. One ride in Izona and she's hooked forever! Another "River-Rat" was born! .....

The Catfish's Story!

"I'm going on a river trip," said the Catfish to his Friend.
"I'll swim this Mighty River, from it's beginning until the end."
"From the top of Lake Itaska, to the Gulf way down below,
the Mississippi will provide for me, a gentle way to go."
"There will be no time for postcards, or letters to write and send."
"Only the trill of a new adventure, waiting around the bend!"

"When you have finished, with your great trip,
and your journey is at it's end." "Whatever will you do after that,"
asked the Catfish's curious Friend?

"Well, let me see," said the wise old fish, as he
answered with a grin.
"I guess I'll start all over, and I'll do it all again!"

(Tim, 2005)



Here are two poetic efforts by a fellow CG Auxiliary member, R.H.:


On America

You ask me why I love her, Give me time and I'll explain.
America is my country, I share her joy and pain.
I cross her streets and rivers, I walk her woods of green,
Much more than artists beauty, And Norman Rockwell scenes.
This land is our America, A place of untamed dreams.
A land where freedom shines, her torch held high with pride.
A land where all may prosper, as chance is not denied.
A land where freedom rings, with voice both loud and clear,
A land we've fought to liberate, when evil threatens near.
You asked me why I love her, some reasons I've explained,
To touch freedoms soul, nothing ventured, nothing gained.


Can Freedom Ring If No Voice Sings?

God bless our nations Veterans,
Have mercy on their souls.
God bless our nations Veterans,
Ever mindful as drum notes roll.

God bless our Veterans families,
Please ease their pain and woe.
God bless our Veterans families,
Hold high that flag that flows.

God heal our Veterans wounds within,
The unseen scars beyond bone deep.
God heal our veterans wounds within,
Slay the horrors that prowl their sleep.

Never forget those stars and stripes,
Our founding fathers keys to peace.
Never forget those stars and stripes,
For freedom dies when trust we cease!

Let freedom ring on Midwest plains,
where amber waves still grow.
Let freedom ring on Midwest plains,
Where heartland stars and stripes still flow.

Peace is priceless, as Veterans know,
No freedom is ever free!
Remain alert and watch for foes,
Lest liberty we have may flee!

(R.H., 2008)