Written 9-1-05 upon visiting Niagara Falls. I think parts of it are slightly awkward, but I generally like it. Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

When air was pure and forest still
And nature unmarred by man’s will,
The cliffs were strong, and hewn was stone
By water’s pow’r and time alone.
And mightier than gales that flew
Through snowy clefts in mountains blue
Betwixt two lakes a river flowed
Whose surface in the moonlight glowed
With crests of white and silver sheen
And in the sunlight, turquoise-green.
Niagara! Thus it was named,
‘Thundering Water,’ free, untamed!
The falls cascaded, shook the ground;
It trembled at the mighty sound.
More deep than church bells ever rang,
The mighty song Niagara sang!

A liquid melody it wove
As e’er down its waters strove;
The harmonies were cascades crashing,
The silver spray on sharp rocks dashing!
Know this! The falls do sing alone
In pitches bass or baritone
Save for she who there is laid,
Lelawala, Misty Maid.
A plume of mist rose from the pool,
Each drop a Lilliputian jewel,
Resembling the softest cloud,
A glitt’ring veil, a foggy shroud.
The misty maid’s ornamentation
‘Midst the thund’ring lamentation –
And this I pray will never fade:
The symphony Niagara played!

The gulls, they cry above the falls,
All snowy-white; their plaintive calls
Are scarcely heard above the roar
Of that, untamed, which shapes the shore!
Vermilion rushes swiftly on
Smoothly flowing forth – then down!
It plunges o’er the curving rim –
Nor time nor man can e’er thwart him,
The thunder-god who oversees
The river, rapids, falls, eddies
He knows that when mankind is gone
Niagara shall thunder on.
With plumes of spray like angels’ wings,
What wondrous songs Niagara sings!

It matters not what years may bring;
Forever shall Niagara sing!