Author’s note: Not far from the home in which I lived for 25 years in Oregon, flows the Clackamas river. It falls from the Cascade Mountains down the westward slope of Mt. Hood, through a gorgeous rugged canyon. It is a young, geologically speaking, and powerful river. Cold, pure, drinkable water – alive with native trout. My son Justin rafted its whitewater rapids, and I fly-fished these waters. Every trip into this captivating wilderness freed my soul, touched my heart, and ignited my sense of wonder. This magnificent natural paradise is the inspiration for “The River!”.cut by time and current
in the great rock of the earth
I marvel
the power
the beauty
the determination
of this mighty river
sculpting this majestic work
it tumbles
relentlessly
in timeless clarity
over boulder and falls
in onward resolve
I’m captivated
by the song
of the wind
that plays the boughs
of the towering pines
that scale the cliff walls
it soars skyward
then wafts gently
down the lofty climbs
brushes my face
tosses my hair
and dances past me
round the river bend
in this moment
all is transcendent…
I am thankful
to know this sublime joy!
*
rob kistner © 2022
Photo above shows an excellent trout pool on the lower Clackamas River.
Photos above show rafters enjoying some of the tamer white water on the Upper Clackamas River. There are from Class I to Class V rapids on the river.
Still more poetry at: earthweal
~ some river songs ~
I know that green, I hear that river, and I have experienced that same transformation. Beautiful work, RK.
Thank you so much Ron. It is nice reading your name in my comments after what has been a number of years, and seeing your face gazing at me over your “stache”. For the record, I’m not quite dead yet either, though almost two Aprils ago. But they slipped in a Pacemaker and restarted me. Again, so nice that you visited. 🙂
Lovely poem, lovely photographs.
Thank you so much AR!
Yes, such wonders do transform us, and restore our spirits……..what a glorious photo – and landscape – Rob. Thanks so much for this. Oregon is very beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed this Sherry. Love my Oregon, though now I live in the Emerald City 175 miles north. Still nearly as beautiful Pacific Northwest here. I return to Oregon as frequently as I am able, and always will. My ashes will be spread in Oregon when I am gone. Half over the middle Clackamas River, half over Lost Lake up out of Zig Zag.
Wonderful pictures… and your love of nature shouts in this poem.
Thank you Debi. Yes, I do love my Pacific Northwest! 🙂
Beautiful photos and you have captured their beauty and wonder in your words.
Thank you do much Susie. It is easy to be inspired by this natural beauty… 🙂
Rivers definitely transform. I like the way the words tumble too.
Thank you Kerfe, glad you like this!,
Beautuful river, wonderful poem. I can smell the water in your poem.
Thank you Toni!
A magnificent river indeed!
Indeed Rosemary, it is magical, a narural work of art. I was so blessed to have as part of ky life for a quarter century – and I miss it dearly, now that I live 175 miles north in the Emerald City. But Oregon, and the Clackamas River specifically, will forever be the magical moments of my life!
This is gorgeously rendered, Rob! 😀
Thank you Sanaa! 🙂
I know that love of rivers. Such beauty and power, such replenishment for the spirit. I love that your ashes will be spread half in the river, half in the lake you also love.
Don’t know if it’s because my sign is Aquarius, but I have loved one my whole life. It’s my spirit free.
Lovely poem. I loved these lines -I’m captivated
by the song
of the wind
that plays the boughs
of the towering pines
that climb the cliff walls
They’re full of sharp, beautiful imagery.
Thank you Nitin… 🙂
What a beautiful celebration of rivers, Rob, and great song selection too.
Thank you Kerfe… 🙂
Your river is beautiful and I can hear it’s song. I am thinking of doing a bit of canoeing on the river this weekend. I need to feel the rush of the water, hear the sounds of nature and behold the beauty surrounding me.
I so enjoy your poetry! It runs deep and beautiful coming from a special place within.
Thank you True, I genuinely appreciate your kindness, and gracious words… 🙂
Fine homage to the Clackamas. That kind of cold mountain clarity is rare on the east coast. My younger brother loved taking pictures of Oregon waterfalls.
Thank you Brendan. Bravo to your brother, I am glad for him that he did. I have photographed many in my days of wandering the Oregon mountains, as well as taking pics of the wilderness streams and lakes — when I was able. It breaks my heart to not be able to make those treks again, but the memories of when I did swells my heart to lift my soul.
Rob, I see you returning to the river. I know Tom Robbins wrote about this river. It looks wild and free <3
Maybe not in my lifetime, but it will happen Lisa — my son has assured me… 🙂