mccabe
Not shy, but loath to cause upset,
Your present outrage we regret;
But, though your fears have touched our heart,
We feel we’ve chose the better part.
‘Tis indiscreet to smite the pate
Of one who may retaliate;
And international law decrees
Against abuse of enemies—
But law and profit each commends
The peaceful poisoning of friends.
Source: Kevin McCabe. Canadian Topics: Poems About Canada, 1967-2017. St. Catharines: Blarney Stone Books, 2017
“In honour of our sesquicentennial”
The Spirit of Niagara from the Pan American Exposition, 1901
As we all stand in awe of her beauty, her power and her blessings,
Her hair cascades ever downward draping over her shoulders just as it should so fluently over every obstacle in its path,
And her breath emanating from her soft lips in the brisk air rises so high above, disappearing into the clouds,
Her sloping breasts just visible beneath her loose blouse,
Upon her face a sense of peace, but in her eyes a rampant ferocity as the light flirts and dances with every perfect angle.
How does such beauty, serenity and chaos exist simultaneously?
She remains nameless to those who know better that this is a just a part of a bigger whole that requires no label, just appreciation, but to others she bears the title of Niagara Falls
Source: April Jones, 2019
So She Flows was originally an entry in the 2019 Niagara Falls Writer’s Festival Poetry Contest. The contest was cancelled.
April Jones is a real estate agent as well as being employed with a winery, which she feels allows for her to engage in two passions of hers, and wine is obviously something this region is well known for as well as by trade, which to her is creative and fascinating. Jones loves anything creative from reading to writing to visual art of most any media. She moved to Niagara three years prior with her three children from Toronto and fell in love with the region instantly, and she feels like her love affair with it has only deepened and will continue to. She is grateful to share her experience of a place almost indescribable to her.
Niagara Falls to me is home, but so much more than just home.
In my time here, I’ve come to adore it like the comfort of an old childhood blanket, yet with the wonder and enthusiasm of a new love at same time.
When I walk down Queen Street in my silent reverie, I relish in its quaintness and the beautiful architecture of new memories, mixed with memories past.
As I drink in the warm rays of the sun through my skin so present to the miraculousness of all this city has to offer, I recognize that everything here has a special sort of charm.
From the way the curb wraps upward on River Road to the gorgeous endearing character homes to the old bridge on Queen with it’s wonderous, wild overgrowth.
And nothing more awing than the immensity of the gorge with it’s swirling, playful, mesmerizing currents of every sort.
Therapy and serenity live here for me and from what I observe, many others.
Not to mention a timeless sense of community.
Imagine a place where anyone can sit at a beautifully crafted instrument and engage in their own masterful creation outdoors.
Where you can experience culinary delights of every taste and culture.
Ride or walk along one of the wonders of the world and sip wine so thoughtfully created by those dedicated to producing something enjoyed by so many from wine to icewine to jams and jellies.
Festivals and faces of every sort of interesting.
The future, full of any possibility, for me remains the present as in my mind there is an almost indescribable perfection in what is exists as now.
When I stand in my silent reverie overlooking the river while the water sparkles and dances to a natural silent melody, I know I am home, but not just home, somewhere that is so much more than just home to me and I believe so many more.
Source: April Jones, 2019
A Most Beautiful Space on Earth was originally an entry in the 2019 Niagara Falls Writer’s Festival Poetry Contest. The contest was cancelled.
April Jones is a real estate agent as well as being employed with a winery, which she feel allows for her to engage in two passions of hers, and wine is obviously something this region is well known for as well as by trade, which to her is creative and fascinating. Jones loves anything creative from reading to writing to visual art of most any media. She moved to Niagara three years prior with my three children from Toronto and fell in love with the region instantly, and she feels like her love affair with it has only deepened and will continue to. She is grateful to share her experience of a place almost indescribable to her.
Niagara Falls, water crystal blue,
The sound of the Falls will relax you.
Hear the waves, the birds, and
see the kindness in the air.
Go downtown and enjoy something to eat.
Meet new people and make new friends.
Discover every single person’s talent and personality.
Be inspired by people’s uniqueness.
Embrace the fresh air and the sounds of nature all around you.
Enjoy your visit and your stay, but don’t worry you’ll be back to play.
Have fun with games and activities,
Niagara Falls, that’s where you’ll be!
Mila Mancuso is an 11 year old Niagara Falls resident who enjoys playing soccer and baseball during her free time. She also likes to paint and draw as a hobby. Mila enjoys spending time with her friends and family, especially swimming at her cousin’s house.
Mancuso submitted this poem as an entry in the youth category of the 2019 Niagara Falls Writer’s Festival Poetry Competition, which was cancelled.
My doctor ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡(so official!) Told me
that I needed to ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡slow ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡down. “That you speak and walk so quickly is a symptom ‡‡‡‡‡of your anxiety. It feeds it.” ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡And so ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡I started ‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡to write
Source: The author, 2019
atlantic was born and raised in Niagara Falls, where he still resides. A selection of his work is available on Instagram
