The ice boom on Lake Erie at the mouth of the Niagara River, designed to stop ice from stopping the flow of water in the Niagara River. Photo by Dr. Frank Seglenieks
It happened once in early spring, ‡‡While there did float great thick ice cakes,
That then a gale did quickly bring ‡‡Them all down from the upper lakes.
And from Buffalo to Lake Erie, ‡‡Across the entrance to river,
It was a scene of icebergs dreary, ‡‡Those who saw will remember ever.
Then gale blew up lake and river, ‡‡And left Niagara almost dry,
This a lady did discover ‡‡As above the Falls she cast her eye.
Such scene it had been witnessed never, ‡‡Since Israelites crossed the Red Sea,
When they had resolved forever ‡‡From Pharaoh’s bondage to flee.
Lady she resolved to venture, ‡‡Proudly carrying British flag,
Erecting it in river’s centre ‡‡In crevice of a rocky crag.
It seems like a romance by Bulwer, ‡‡How she captured Niagara,
But it was seen by Bishop Fuller, ‡‡Who did at sight of flag hurrah.
Ten thousand years may die away ‡‡Before another dry can tread,
In bottom of Niagara, ‡‡For she doth jealous guard her bed.
But ice her entrance did blockade, ‡‡And wind it kept the waters back,
So that a child could almost wade ‡‡Across the brink of cataract.
Source: McIntyre, James. Poems of James McIntyre. Ingersoll: The Chronicle, 1889.
Gazing on rapids mighty sea,
Struggling fiercely to be free,
But drawn downwards in its course
By gravitation’s wondrous force,
O’er those perpendicular walls,
Hurled ’mong mighty rocks it falls,
Causing the earth to throb and shake
Like to the tremor of earthquake.
Thus the world’s greatest wonder
Reverberates like peals of thunder,
Enshrined with mist and beauteous glow
Of varied tints of the rainbow,
Most glorious sight the human eye
Hath ever seen beneath the sky,
Along these banks none ever trod
But did feel grateful to his God,
For lavishing with bounteous hand
Glories majestic and so grand.
The foaming billows soon are seen
Transformed into a beauteous green,
Plunged by whirlpools dread commotion
It becomes a seething ocean,
Where furies join in surging dance
From centre to circumference,
This is the favorite abode
Of Neptune, mightiest sea God,
He hath decreed none shall survive
Who will into this vortex dive.
Webb swam the English channel brave,
Like seabird he did love to lave
His breast upon the mightiest wave,
Alas, found here a watery grave;
Torrent onward rushes frantic
On its course to the Atlantic,
But on its way doth gently flow
Through blue lake Ontario,
Rejoicing on its way it smiles,
Kissing the shores of Thousand Isles,
Mingling with St. Lawrance motion,
It soon is blended with the ocean.
Source: Niagara’s Charms and Death of Webb was published in McIntyre, James. Poems of James McIntyre. Ingersoll: The Chronicle, 1889.
Mohawk poets Janet Rogers and Alex Jacobs read love poems titled “His Sap” and “Flying Over Niagara Falls”. Studio recording produced by Janet Rogers and live recording by Alex Jacobs recorded in Vancouver British Columbia at the Talking Stick Festival with cello accompaniment by Cris Derksen. Its a Valentines collaborative poem?
Scroll down or click here to see SAP by Janet Marie Rogers
FLYING OVER NIAGARA FALLS, by Alex Jacobs for Janet Marie
I have never been so consumed, so affected, so moved so physically adored, adorned even so worn like hat, a tight fitting hat, so consumed, so consummated we are flying, actually airborne… making love above Niagara Falls & it is like flying, boarding the aircraft through a familiar structure, a familiar ritual down a tunnel, approaching the light you take in the periphery you buckle in and read the safety manual what to do in an emergency you read whatever’s available, magazines about Mayan temples, Calcutta spices Grateful Dead sticker on a rock & roll wine we are rolling, rolling, rolling 30 40 50 70 100 MPH you hold on, there’s a bump we all shift, squeaks, tugs hidden music, chatter you favour one side, there’s a light, bright and then gravity release some kind of group sigh shimmers through the passengers
we are surrounded by air on all sides
yoga masters in flight hovering, bouncing anti-gravity vibratory near hallucinogenic, visions, voices we could theoretically disappear vibrating into another dimension another consciousness
This is where the Thunderers live Where the Maid is in the Mist Where Jigonsaseh (mother of Nations) Gave birth to her village called Peace-town Where she gave birth to clans and nations
Where women went over Niagara Falls Announcing the new millennium Only later did men attempt the free fall In much sturdier, better designed craft Safe, greedy, cowards Asking for money… to fly
This is where Falling Woman came to earth Where Flint & Sapling were born Where I was reborn, was crucified, Died and was reburied Only to resurrect again and again and again She is Flying Woman She is Star Woman
She is Bear Woman She is Medicine Woman She is Healing Woman
A Turtle clan man can be a warrior too Not just a farmer or an artist or a singer He waits and waits Focusing ninja movements Using the opponents force to counter Taking many blows to his shell Once he grabs and bites you can not dislodge him Until the sun sets… The only time a turtle makes noise Is when he mates or dies
We are at the edge of thunder We are white light plasma We become actually lightning People hear us as thunder See us as lightning This is where the Thunderers live In caves under Niagara Falls Powerful ancient voices Rumble like earthquakes, tremors, Rock slides crashing into whirlpools
What would I do with you Once I have you I need to train you
You need repetition Sun moon dark rain Just like Niagara Falls We are high up Thousands of miles to the west Laying among rain, drizzle, clouds High up among Vancouver canyons Sun moon mist rain Where we can pause Breath absorb each other Pile up chaos in theory Shine glisten vibrate And make waves Make waves all around us And fly actually airborne Then release and flow and surge Sun Rain Mist Full Moon What would you do with me Once you have me
Santa Fe, March 2012 Vancouver, February 2013
SAP by Janet Marie Rogers
He served me Tree sap In a shot Glass I stretched My neck To get Every Drop
He served me Tree sap In a shot Glass I stretched My neck To get Every Drop
He served me Tree sap In a shot Glass I stretched My neck To get Every Drop
He served me Tree sap
In a shot Glass I stretched My neck To get Every drop
