Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunset. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Poem: Grandparents Lines from the Boundary Waters and Beyond


Grandparents
(Poetry from the Boundary Waters and Beyond)

This day ending with its sentinels
of pine pointing towards the
setting sun could have
meant anything,
anywhere,
to
anyone.

But,
to you and
I under the tarp near
the glowing coals of the fire,
it meant sore muscles, blistered
hands and one of the best tasting
dinners I've eaten out of a
pouch in forever.
Well, what
wouldn't
taste

Fabulous
when paired with
lake trout picked up while
trolling towards this point on
the island that gifted us a view of
our own private lake?  This
moment is why I wish
I would have
listened
to you
be

fore, when you told me that we could still find ourselves in the boundary waters canoe area wilderness, even at our age, even having forgotten more about camping than most young people ever imagined they'd learn thank goodness for the air mattress and the forty four pound kevlar canoe.

It is never too late
to remember.

©Timothy James Stouffer 05252017
All Rights Reserved Ely, MN

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Poem: Low Water Mark

Steve Piragis went out paddling into the early evening yesterday. His picture reflected some of the most subtle afternoon light we've seen so far this year.  It is hard to believe that November is already upon us.  This poem came to mind.  Enjoy.




Low Water Mark

Rising from dark water;
spires climb,
the green trees of years
gone by.  Now like 
bannerless flag posts
rooted in the wetland soil.
Sentinels of the lake
silent, watching.

Reaching through gray.
blue and pink toward
the retreating sun.
Arms entreating dead
grasses to join in the dance.

Canoe bow splits
reflection’s perfection.
Abandoned wood duck
house rocking slowly
to the rhythm of the 
dead wind.

Redwing blackbird
calls from the cattails.
Beaver tail slaps to 
the North.  Pileated beak
strikes home and keeps
the beat, hidden in the 
dark, jagged line of pines.

The colors deepen.  No
one is home, or,
are they?  Paddle pushes
us into the night.

© Timothy James Stouffer, 11/04/2015
All Rights Reserved

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