In searching for a poem last night, I experienced a touch of serendipity.

Yesterday, we went to one of the fabulous Wisconsin State Parks – Copper Falls.

It was two hours away from where we live, in the very Northwestern part of our state.

You can read about the visit here, if you wish.

On Choosing a Poem to Share

Given that it was soon to be Poetry Friday, and I had a week of travel (three days away from home), I didn’t have much to share with my own poetry. I decided to look for a poem about forests or waterfalls in the public domain on Poets.org.

As I scanned the possibilities, I lit upon this poem by Hamlin Garland from 1893. It is in the public domain.

On the Mississippi

Through wild and tangled forests
   The broad, unhasting river flows—
   Spotted with rain-drops, gray with night;
     Upon its curving breast there goes
A lonely steamboat's larboard light,
       A blood-red star against the shadowy oaks;
Noiseless as a ghost, through greenish gleam
Of fire-flies, before the boat's wild scream—
          A heron flaps away
          Like silence taking flight.

By Hamlin Garland, 1860-1940.

It spoke to me, this poem about the Mississippi, a great river which I had only dreamed about as a child and met through the stories about Huck Finn by Mary Twain. For the last 24 years, I’ve lived near this liquid piece of American history.

But, that’s not the reason I experienced serendipity.

The reason is this, Hamlin Garland was from West Salem, Wisconsin – a town 15 minutes from where I’ve lived for over twenty years! I’ve driven by his homestead (a landmark) a multitude of times – never knowing he was a poet – or a Poet Laureate (1922) – for that matter!

Imagine my surprise last evening when I read the author’s bio to the right of the poem on Poets.org. Hamlin Garland – West Salem native! Serendipity, for sure!

Now, I will make an effort to visit the Garland House, as it is known, the next time I am in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Who knew?! I didn’t but I am glad I know now!

Today is Poetry Friday. If you want to know what that is, check this informative post by Rene’e La Tulippe. Our round up host this week is children’s author, Buffy Silverman. Thanks for hosting Buffy! Be sure to check out here page for links to more great poetry. Thanks!

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