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The Winds That Blow Across Waterton

 


 (Upper Waterton Lake - photo credit Rory Duce)

 

In Waterton, the river falls
Off weathered breaks in mountain walls
To rest in pools of cobalt blue
Its journey slowed and nearly through
Then to the lake to face the squalls
That ever blow across Waterton

The bighorn sheep oft prance and leap
Across the peaks where sunset sleeps
And into the night an owl keeps
A vigil watch upon Waterton

The morning sun sifts through the mist
That dews the shores where frost has kissed
While in the murk the bull trout feeds
On flies amidst drift wood and reeds
And high above an eagle twists
In the winds that blow across Waterton

I stand in awe on outcropped ledge
With hands raised high I make my pledge
My body wilts as days rage on
But here I’ll stay when life is gone
Please take my ashes to the water’s edge
Then free my soul
To the winds that blow across Waterton














Author notes

In southern Alberta, Canada, there is mountain park called Waterton Lakes. I grew up just a few miles from the park, and will always think of it as my home.

As with all my poetry, I appreciate constructive feedback so that I can improve as a writer. Please give it to me straight, I'm a big boy, I can take it.

In a list

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 42 of 42
  • poets whisper silver member
    September 11

    Edit | Reply
    nice job. The rhyme is gorgeous and the write leaves me feeling calm and tranquil. Amazing imagery too. Makes me wish I was there. Thank you for entering the contest.


  • lovlilmystery
    August 28

    Edit | Reply

    very good

    I would like one day, to visit this lake. Your poem, has inspired me, to want to see it. I am an avid outdoor person and love going fishing. This definitely would be a place I would like to see. Take care.

    Sandi


  • kylierenea
    August 17

    Edit | Reply
    This is a very beautiful poem, very peaceful. I especially like how you rhyme in this poem, I think it fits it perfectly. There's nothing that I would change Keep up the good work and thanks for entering my contest.


  • AllexisReed
    April 30

    Edit | Reply
    I have been browsing through different poets to find ones that I truly enjoy reading. I believe I have found that in you. I think you are an amazing poet. I love reading your work. The way you describe Waterton Lake is truly amazing. It makes me feel like I have been there.


  • SubKitten
    April 8

    Edit | Reply
    You created some very beautiful imagery. Even without the picture at the beginning, I can picture this place very well. Your emotional connection to this place comes through with every line, and elicits a strong emotional response from the reader, which is great. The rhyme felt a little sing-song for me, but it actually added to the piece, so no complaints! Overall, this is an astoundingly beautiful piece of work!

  • piccola silver member
    March 6

    Edit | Reply
    This is beautiful. It is picturesque, the rhyme and flow are flawless. Good job and thank you for entering.


  • GotLilt
    March 6
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    Nice rhyme.


  • SouthpawGA
    January 24

    Edit | Reply

    Nice write

    I like this one.... It could probably be a Gold trophy winner if you fine tuned it up a bit more. Nice write though.


  • soulfultia gold member
    December 31, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Across the peaks where sunset sleeps... what a great visual line! Love the shiney on this one You paint such vivid pictures and leave me with a quenched palet!! Wonderful work ~Tia


  • Haygood gold member
    December 27, 2008

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    You have that natural rhythm.

    I even like the break from the rhyme at the end of the stanza. You do us vivid imagery! Wonderful write.


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    December 22, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Such amazing imagery in this wonderful wonderful poem. Excellent. I was there.

    So very very pleased to see a trophy adorn this beauty. Well done and congratulations. ~Pamela


  • Ellis gold member
    December 22, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Lovely poem, very beautiful -- an honor to the lake.


  • LittleMoon silver member
    December 6, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    A lovely write about a beautiful place where one day you will spend forever. How lucky you are, what a place to work, live and die in and then spend eternity where you love to be.


  • Margaret Denham gold member
    December 2, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    It's easy to see through your words where your heart is. Such wonderful rhyme and inspirational thoughts of nature and her beauty.

    Congratulations on a very well deserved trophy.

    Margaret

  • ea silver member
    November 26, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The nature shines through as does the sentiment of wanting to have your ashes scattered in your place of tribute, Waterton.


  • Sandi Alford gold member
    November 24, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Hi Rory,
    this is the first time I've had the pleasure of reading your words, and I'm so glad I clicked.

    This was so beautiful and serene, and your imagery was lush and alive, fabulous work!

    To quote Arnold - 'I'll be back!'

    Let the ink flow!
    blessings from Holland,
    Sandi


  • Dalaney gold member
    November 24, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Rory...You should have this published.
    You have calmed me this morning with
    your words...thank you. xxoo Laney


  • poet2angels gold member
    November 22, 2008

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    This is gorgeous! I love the form and the beautiful, unforced rhyme...
    Your poem makes anyone want to visit this lovely place...Beautiful imagery and language..

    Excellent. TY for entering!

    Lynda


  • januaryrain gold member
    November 22, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Excellent, I loved the flow.
    My son who is in Alberta tells me that when I come to visit him, I won't want to leave, reading your poem I believe him.
    Great picture


  • Rend the Veil gold member
    November 22, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Well i hope you can

    take a compliment, this is just lovely so serene, you give vivid imagery i felt the calmness of waterson
    Well done Rory,

    Blessings

    Rend


  • Molassis
    November 21, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I could not imagine looking out over such beauty Rory!! I absolutely love your nature poems. This is expertly written and has an easy, readable flow to it.

    The beauty of the picture and the experience of standing on the edge of such beauty are easily captured in this piece.

    It's amazing!

    ~Melissa


  • YesterdaysDreams
    November 21, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This brought back so many of my own memories ... brought tears to my eyes. So descriptive.. I felt like I was standing there on the shore of that lake, cool water lapping between my toes. This by far surpasses anything I have read thus far on nature.


  • condor gold member
    November 21, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I am glad you had your authors notes for me to read. This place sounds so beautiful and peaceful. It obviously made a great impact on your heart to leave such a lasting impression for you to write about. Is this park a national park, protected wildlife and the like? I very much enjoyed reading this and wondered if you had actually written this to some music or something as it has a musical flow to it. Just brilliant, mate. I just wonderred though why the second verse had only four lines and the last verse, seven when the other two had six. It doesn't make any difference as it read very well. I'm just curious about your reason for this setout.


  • AmazinJason
    November 21, 2008

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    Wow, I need to get out there and see more of this world. This is so peaceful and pleasantly beautiful. Waterton sounds really nice.
    and that picture is amazing


  • iamshirookami
    November 19, 2008
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    That was truly beautiful


  • WordsAndWits
    November 19, 2008
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    I love the imagery... I love the picture and especially how you described it. Really pretty write!


  • theroseofbattle
    November 19, 2008

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    beautiful imagery. rhythym and rhyme are excellent. there is really nothing that I can think of to change. it flows nicely. keep writing! awesome job.


  • Clovis...Curious silver member
    November 19, 2008

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    Excellent

    'tis a fine write, just as it is. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. Thanks for sharing this one with us.


  • lovlyme
    November 19, 2008
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    wow that is deep


  • Nature Song silver member
    November 17, 2008

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    The picture is fabulous and your poem flows so well. So full of images of Wateron. I like the line, the owl keeps his vigil over the nights watch. ~Sie

  • tara wilson gold member
    November 17, 2008

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    i absolutely love the imagery in this poem, especially in the third stanza, i really love how the body wilts but, but here you'll stay when life is gone...
    beautiful


  • Catie Sheeran gold member
    November 17, 2008

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    Oh this is beautiful ...loved the imagery!!! flawless


  • csmmoms2
    November 16, 2008

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    Upon Waterton

    Quite a song about lakes and mountains and stuff. Very soothing and I wish I could find Waterton for myself. You are a fine poet.
    Thanks for reading Two Boxers and your kind comments. It was the 2nd round and I got caught comin' in flat-footed. I think it was a left hook (never saw it comin') and the LIGHTS went out.
    "Could have been somebody instead I was just a bum". When I think about I can still taste the canvas. -c


  • Rembrandt Clarke
    November 16, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    hi, a few confessions here, didn't mean to click on your poem, but i thought i would read it anyway... then i was going to leave a very non descript general comment. but you are a 'big boy'

    ok so, this was nice. very nice, in fact lovely almost. it should be on the back of a waterton lakes tourist brochure. very nice. but, thats it really. this has been done and done and done by far greater writers than we will ever be. it led nothing new to me, and i felt like i had read this poem many times before. although you put it all together well and it isn't haggard or forced.

    basically what im trying to say is, its not awful, far from it. but its nice, very nice. which is ok. if thats what you are into i guess.


  • alivefromlove
    November 16, 2008

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    not gonna lie, i clicked this poem on accident, lol, but i'm glad i did! this sounds like such a beautiful place! GREAT poem! your descriptions are absolutely wonderful, i can see the waters as i read. good luck in the contest =D


  • malmadre gold member
    November 16, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is poetry perfection, amazing in rhyme. I love the form you used in this. I don't know if it is a form but it carries your message so well with the ending lines of "Waterton" What a beautiful place, you are blessed with being near this much beauty. This is an outstanding example of why you are among my favorites. Rory Duce

  • michaeline
    November 16, 2008

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    I think that there is nothing that needs improved upon here,it is great as it reads.Truely a great tribute to a place you must dearly love.I think that you did pretty good all in all though I would definatly keep the pictue I might look for a differant way to lay the lines out to be read.


  • Mariana gold member
    November 16, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is amazing. So heartfelt and beautiful. These are my favourite lines:-
    'I stand in awe on outcropped ledge
    With hands raised high I make my pledge
    My body wilts as days rage on
    But here I’ll stay when life is gone
    Please take my ashes to the water’s edge
    Then free my soul
    To the winds that blow across Waterton'
    Well Done
    Mariana


  • Bad Bill
    November 16, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    You really bring the scene to vivid life in this beautiful poem. There is a classical Romantic feel to it, reminding me of Keats or Wordsworth and I love the way it flows.

    Excellent work,
    Bill


  • XxAbby-Jay-CrunkxX
    November 16, 2008

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    i can see it all in my head, the imagery is absolutely amazing. what a wonderful place you have described. this poem is what dreams are made of


  • Wandering Woodchuck silver member
    November 16, 2008

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    Waterton sounds like one of the very special places on Earth. I cannot think of a thing I would change. It is a beautiful poem.

    Mike


  • Sunshine Always
    November 16, 2008

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    Wow, breathtaking! The picture is just amazing and your words bring it to life. How very lucky you are to have seen such beauty .Wonderful...mal

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