Ode To The Ouachita
I confessed recently to a church group of my long standing love affair with the Ouachita River. The grand old river, as it winds its way through Arkansas (past Arkadelphia) and Louisiana (through the middle of Monroe) is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. After our meeting, Dr. Trey Berry, history prof at Ouachita Baptist University here in Arkadelphia, gave me a copy of his new book, The Forgotten Expedition, 1804-1805, that details the Dunbar-Hunter exploration of the Ouachita. I'm still working my way through the book--and am thrilled to know of others who so love the river as I do.
For the near sixteen years we lived in Monroe, LA, I fished the river almost every week--not attempting to take a lot of fish but loving every minute of exploration, learning, and intrigue. I learned a bit about its ways, its eccentricities, its angularities, and grew to appreciate the river as a part of God's gift to us.
Nearly ten years ago, I wrote a poem entitled, "Ode To The Ouachita." It expresses a bit of my feeling of appreciation for the grand stream. The ode is below and I hope it touches you.
ODE TO THE OUACHITA
River, I sit and watch
As your waters pass me by.
They run swiftly on,
Never to come this way again.
For ages past they have flowed
And cut a crevice in this lovely land.
And in my heart.
River, you are my friend.
I give thanks to our Creator
Who has made us, man and river alike,
Who in His eternal wisdom
Demands of us mutual respect.
Yet, river, you are not forever.
One day your waters will flow no longer.
Your currents will cease.
The life you are will end.
But I will live on.
When your waters dry up and become as dust,
When the sun burns up and the stars become but cinder,
I will live on.
Perhaps the Gracious God
Who provides all our needs in glory
Will in His eternal wisdom
Redeem also the river!
“Because the whole creation itself
Will be set free from its bondage to decay
And obtain the glorious liberty
Of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:21)
Blessings! Have a great day.
lm
For the near sixteen years we lived in Monroe, LA, I fished the river almost every week--not attempting to take a lot of fish but loving every minute of exploration, learning, and intrigue. I learned a bit about its ways, its eccentricities, its angularities, and grew to appreciate the river as a part of God's gift to us.
Nearly ten years ago, I wrote a poem entitled, "Ode To The Ouachita." It expresses a bit of my feeling of appreciation for the grand stream. The ode is below and I hope it touches you.
ODE TO THE OUACHITA
River, I sit and watch
As your waters pass me by.
They run swiftly on,
Never to come this way again.
For ages past they have flowed
And cut a crevice in this lovely land.
And in my heart.
River, you are my friend.
I give thanks to our Creator
Who has made us, man and river alike,
Who in His eternal wisdom
Demands of us mutual respect.
Yet, river, you are not forever.
One day your waters will flow no longer.
Your currents will cease.
The life you are will end.
But I will live on.
When your waters dry up and become as dust,
When the sun burns up and the stars become but cinder,
I will live on.
Perhaps the Gracious God
Who provides all our needs in glory
Will in His eternal wisdom
Redeem also the river!
“Because the whole creation itself
Will be set free from its bondage to decay
And obtain the glorious liberty
Of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:21)
Blessings! Have a great day.
lm
posted by Lee McGlone | 2:32 PM
1 Comments:
Uncle Lee, I love your poem!
I just wanted to drop by your "blog" and let you know that I am so very happy that you feel that you have finally come home. I know that it has to be a great feeling!
Love, Wendy
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