Posts Tagged ‘Smith Falls’
niche beneath waterfall
This past weekend, we made a visit to two of New Brunswick’s waterfalls: Erbs Falls and Smith Falls, both on the Kingston Peninsula.
Erbs Falls begins as a quickening of the water of Peters Brook in a narrowing gorge.
At this time of year, the water proceeds in one of two pathways, down the labyrinth of the fish ladder…
…or into a deep, narrow gorge through the bedrock…
… to emerge into the sunlight as Erbs Falls.
Smith Falls begins as a series of smaller falls in the brook. The path runs along the brook, so we saw every ripple and dip.
The water plunges over the lip of the falls…
…flows past a small cave…
… and forces its way between rocks over the lower part of the falls.
Waterfalls are the ultimate experience of water. At the base of the waterfall are the mingled sounds of the thundering water and the gurgle of the stream. The shade and mists are cooling, refreshing. Sneakers get wet, hands are washed in cold water, and balance is tested as you follow the downward path of the waterfall.
I also like to think about the shape of the rock under the falls. I watch the spout and flume of the water to see what solid shapes beneath the flow have shaped the waterfall. I try to see through the white curtain of water to see the rock and stone, and understand how they are both revealed and concealed by the waterfall.
beneath waterfall
~
what can I do
to cover me
feign a drip of waterfall
from a single eye
or a flume
from the fluid of two
~
shall I arrange
my hair to hide beneath
my skin a wasp-nest
paper waterfall
hung lightly
~
who will see me
if I place my hands on rock
freckles are dapples of sun
fingernail glints of mica
or whorls in fingerprint
swirl like water
~
the spare notes of white-throat
or fluid jubilee of robin
flow over, compose sheet
music of quarter notes
to cover me
~
sitting here
on the edge of the bed
far from waterfall
electric fan for breeze
electric bulbs for sparkle
down-filled white duvet
to hide beneath
~
© Jane Tims 2011
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