Niagara by James Kershaw

James Kershaw
James Kershaw
particles
 pounding
  through
   the neck
    of  Time
      shaping
       this wall
        of white thunder ...
 

dreams
       shape
              me
I find them in a pool
gather them up in my hand
they are worn like marbles ...

Source:  Baltensperger, Peter, and Baltensperger, Brenda (eds.) Voices from the Niagara, St. Catharines, Moonstone Press, c.1987.

James Kershaw’s website

email James Kershaw

Dedication of the Bells by Rev. Martin R. Jenkinson

Dedication bells
View of the Bells in the Carillon Tower of the Rainbow Bridge by George Bailey. Photo courtesy Niagara Falls Public Library Digital Collections

It stands amid floral splendour,
Its feet firmly set on the sod,
Its tower upreaching to Heaven,
Like a finger, pointing to God.

Though it stands on Canada’s soil,
It looks to America’s shore,
And the common music to both,
Is the sound of the river’s roar.

And out from that beautiful shrine,
There will come melodious knells;
The cause of this musical flood?
The tower is a Chapel of Bells.

They’re the fruit of a people’s pride.
A means of showing their praise;
In honour of two of earth’s great,
Who led them through dark, dreary days.

Their words gave balm to the weary;
Then they rallied their nations’ power.
To battle the hosts of darkness.
And give freedom one shining hour.

Their words defied the defiant,
And imparted strength to the brave,
And like some heavenly trumpet,
Aroused man’s shy hopes from the grave.

Held in high respect by earth’s great,
And loved by the humble as well,
We will be hearing their voices, when
We list to the song of the bell.

Your songs are the art of blending,
By the touch of a master’s choice.
May all who hear, catch the meaning,
Who stand within sound of your voice.

So cast on the air your message,
May if come again and again.
In notes of comfort and uplift,
Like a benediction to men.

Source:  Bridges – Rainbow – Carillon Vertical File. Niagara Falls, Ont. : Niagara Falls Public Library.

Read on the occasion of the dedication of the carillon bells, June 16, 1947.

World Wonder by Betty J. Beam

(a children’s poem)

Cataracts cascading
Sun shining
Mist mounting
Rainbows arching

Rapids roaring
Gulls soaring
Blossoms blooming
People peering

Picture making
Breath taking
World wonder
Niagara Falls

Source: The author, 2001

A Pioneer’s Prayer by Betty J. Beam

(a children’s poem)

The forests tall
The waterfall
The fish and birds
The buffalo herds —
This wilderness, God bless!

Our freedom’s birth
The men of worth
The fertile soil
The strength to toil —
This little town, God bless!

The ocean’s tide
The prairies wide
The mountain heights
The northern lights —
This Canada, God bless!

Source:  The Author, 2001

 

The Niagara River by Betty J. Beam

(a children’s poem)

Wild white water is

Boil, cascade
Roil, cannonade
Crash, flume
Splash, spume

Drench, glide
Stench, slide
Gush, leap
Rush, sweep

Lunge, pollution
Plunge, solution
Outpour, overflow
Uproar, undertow

Turbulence, spray
Violence, ricochet
Stream, swirl
Steam, whirl

Penned power

Source: The Author, 2001.