Minnie’s Lake

Minnie's Lake in the Okefenokee Swamp on a bright sunny afternoon.

A Bonnet Lily in bloom in Minnie's Lake on a windy spring day.

(Written to commemorate a camping trip with my wife to Minnie's Lake)

Slowly, with wonder,

The two adventurers glided,

Through the cool dark waters,

Of the Okefenokee.

Nearby, with a chirp,

A frog leapt to safety.

A bulbous snout,

Slowly sank from sight.

Twisting through cypress guardians,

The two traveled on.

As feathered heralds,

 Announced their passing.

Yellowed eyes watched from camouflaged positions,

Alligator smiles and twisting turtle heads tracked,

The loaded canoe as paddles slowly dipped,

And the two adventurers bravely glided on.

Finally, as the watery trail broadened slightly,

A wooden haven showed its weathered roof,

Above the hurrah bushes and burned over stumps,

And two adventurers glided in to find their rest.

Clint Bowman

Feb. 2017