A Sunrise Cruise

With great anticipation, we greet the lake once more.

We witness stars disappear,

And see the eagle grasp her prey,

The loons are calling, crisp and clear,

While otter pups splash and play.

With great anticipation, we greet the lake once more.

As daylight beams across the sky

and breaks along the shore.

 

Through early morning silence, together we explore.

Our morning coffee steaming,

Dragonflies now waking,

Reflected sunshine gleaming,

Bluegills gently breaking.

Through early morning silence, together we explore.

As daylight beams across the sky

and breaks along the shore.

 

Sunrise on the lake with you:  I cherish nothing more!

Herons fly above the bay,

A doe swims with her fawn,

Sunlight warms the cold away,

While we enjoy the dawn.

Sunrise on the lake with you:  I cherish nothing more!

As daylight beams across the sky

and breaks along the shore.

 

Jim Brakken

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As shadows grow long on the marsh.

©James A. Brakken

 

 

The water’s bright and blue and right,

Under November sun.

We’ve come to share one last hunt,

Our season nearly done.

 

Soon we’ll trade the warm fall days

For wintry weather so harsh.

The season slowly slips away

And shadows grow long on the marsh.

 

 

Bright greens of summer have faded now.

Ice fills the shallow bay.

Muskrats rush to beat the cold.

As night grows longer than day.

 

 

The sweet aroma of autumn leaves

Drifts over water now still.

The nearly warm midday air

Gives way to evening’s chill.

 

The ducks and geese are all but gone.

To warmer climes they fly.

We watch the marsh in silence now.

As the sun descends the sky.

 

Time is all we truly own.

And time can be so harsh.

So let’s enjoy this one last hunt,

As shadows grow long on the marsh.

 

 

Yes, time is all we truly own.

And time can be so harsh.

But we still have this one last hunt,

As shadows grow long on the marsh.

 

As Our Lakes Lay Silent

James A. Brakken

And now the lakes lay silent.

The loons are far away.

For deer and mouse, otter and grouse,

Winter’s on its way.

 

The aurora borealis

Streaks across the night.

Rainbows shimmer, glow and glimmer,

Enhancing the lake with light.

 

And like those northern lights,

Our lakes are changing fast.

And wilderness, more or less,

Just a word from times gone past.

 

But though our lakes lay silent,

This is no time to pause.

Maintain your stand for lake and land,

For right and knowledge and laws.

 

Like ripples in calm water,

A difference you can make.

And just like the northern lights,

You will enhance your lake.

 

A Toast

Let’s raise a glass

for years gone past.

Of mallard flights and musky fights

Never to be repeated.

For a pinch of gold the lakes were sold

 

Our resources depleted.

Here’s to the brave

who struggle to save

Our woodlands and our waters.

Here’s to the quest

to save the rest

for Wisconsin’s sons and daughters.