Niagara Falls – American Falls, foreground
Horseshoe Falls, background and Canada in the distance
When I lived in Western New York, I never tired of going to Niagara Falls, sometimes several times a month. The feel of the water rushing by through the rapids above the waterfall, and then that immense power cascading over the edge is very exhilarating. The photo opportunities – daytime, night, cloudy weather, sunny days – were inexhaustible. I also made a point of hiking below the falls, along trails at the bottom of the gorge. Again, the sense of power is overwhelming, with the rapids churning away and the thought of the strength and power held by the river as it wore away at the limestone of the escarpment for 20,000 years to reach the current location of the falls, seven miles away. Yet, even as the rock is being worn away by the water, it continues to contain the river within the gorge.
receding landscape
water falls as ages pass
a fluid embrace
water embraced by rock walls
each defined by the other
The American Falls, seen from the deck of
“The Maid of the Mist”
Carpe Diem Universal Jane #9 Naked Rock
Haibun ~ prose, often about a journey and in the first person
~ followed by a haiku or tanka
Nice post! It must be the positive ions–I live near the Great Falls of Paterson (can’t really compare to Niagara) and I love going up there after a good rainfall.
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Of course, I’d never be tempted to step over the edge, but my children have agreed to spread my ashes in the Niagara River. I scuba dived there (miles upstream from the falls) hundreds of times, and eventually I’ll go over the falls.
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My dad used to tell us about swimming in the Passaic River at the base of the falls. Great Falls is now a national park. I like the idea about the ashes…
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Love your haibun. I’m familiar with the Canadian side of the Falls. Was there two years ago in November and yearn to go back in better weather.
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It’s a beautiful sight.
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Sure is! One of a kind. Love your photos. ❤
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And, thank you!
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I enjoyed very much reading this! I am also very fascinated about the power of the nature. Would like to visit this place very much.
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🙂
You would never forget it!
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I’m always in awe of a successful haibun. And the words and images together doubly reinforce the atmosphere.
I also like your plan for your ashes. We scattered my father’s and mother’s in the mountains, and it was much more spiritual than a burial beneath a gravestone. Back to nature, truly. (K)
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Beautifully written haibun on the power and beauty of Niagara Falls.
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Thank you, Janice.
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Great haibun Ken … it gives me the feeling that I am really there. You describe the scene in a great way and your love for the falls is very clear. Thank you for bringing this to our notion
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Thank you.
It’s an amazing sight to see.
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I really like how you tie land and water together–a fluid embrace. I feel the motion and hear the rushing of the water in your words.
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Thank you. In this case, you couldn’t have one without the other.
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True, but some people would only think of the water.
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