snippets of landscape – the bogan
Along the St. John River are sluggish side-streams, flooded in spring to form full tributaries of the river, but isolated and stagnant in low-water conditions, sometimes completely cut off from the main river. These are known as bogans, a word of Algonquian origin. The words logan and pokelogan have a similar origin and meaning.
My favorite bogan is a strip of water next to the Trans-Canada Highway near Jemseg. The bogan creates an island, Thatch Island, in the St. John River. Old Silver Maple trees lean over the still water, creating reflections and shadows.
bogan along Thatch Island
On maps of the St. John River, a bogan on Sugar Island, just north of Fredericton, is called the Sugar Island Padou.
bogan (padou) on Sugar Island
~
~
bogan
~
appendage of river
footnote on water
predictable as the day we walked
the dead-end backroad
and retraced our steps to return
~
in spring, by canoe, at high water
or on ice skates in winter
in summer sluggish
stagnant, secluded
~
we lurk, eavesdrop on whispered
conversation
we are river folk
unwelcome
~
~
© Jane Tims 2012
snow-bound bogan to the north of Thatch Island on the St. John River
nichepoetryandprose 
Your snow-bound bogan looks like such a peaceful place – I can almost imagine slipping in there in a canoe in the spring…
LikeLike
Barbara Rodgers
March 7, 2012 at 11:11 am
Hi. In summer, with the trees bending over the water, these are beautiful places. Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 8, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Thanks for sharing the maps and reasons why the isolated bits of water are called “bogans.” I love your photo showing all the beauty of winter. Gorgeous.
LikeLike
Carol Steel
March 7, 2012 at 8:29 am
Hi Carol. Not much winter left after our temperatures today! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
March 8, 2012 at 7:47 pm