ELEGANT CRYSTAL RIVER!

There are many beautiful rivers in my home state of Wisconsin, but one that has special meaning and loveliness is the Crystal River, near the small town of Waupaca, Wisconsin.  It’s also the region where my childhood friend lived until her tragic death of leukemia at age 13, over 50 years ago.  In remembering her, I’d like to share a winter's photo of the Crystal River and a beautiful location, as well as a poem I wrote about the majestic river over ten years ago.

MAJESTIC RIVER, EVER CHANGING UPON THE STREAM OF TIME,

NOT UNLIKE THE FRAGILE, UNPREDICTABLE COURSE OF HUMAN LIFE.

ELEGANT CRYSTAL RIVER, GLIDING GRACEFULLY ‘ROUND THE BEND.

TO EACH OF US, WHAT MAGICAL, MYSTICAL TALES DO YOU NATURALLY PORTEND?

I SEE IN YOU REFLECTIONS OF LIFE—

ONE MOMENT SUBLIMELY SURREAL,

THE NEXT MOMENT PERILOUSLY SWIRLING TOWARDS THE INFINITENESS OF TIME.

HOW MATCHED WE ARE IN MOVEMENT, AND IN SPIRIT.

HOW VAST AND DEEP OUR POTENTIAL.

MAJESTIC RIVER, EVER CHANGING UPON THE STREAM OF TIME.