Oh, The Wonder of Waterfalls
- Ashley Bradford
- Mar 20, 2024
- 3 min read
Mother Nature has a way of calming the spirit. A walk in the woods, a tiptoe through a creek bed, or perhaps just lounging at the feet of a tree trunk.
The world is full of natural wonders, from gargantuan mountains to thunderous waterfalls, nature can be quite intimidating.
For instance, a waterfall is gorgeous from a distance or when observed from below, but submersion following a river trail towards a waterfall would not have the same resolution.
Nature should always be appreciated and experienced with high regard. Having a respect for life and the creatures and plants in it. The landscapes we are blessed to seek joy and admiration in. The ocean, the stars, each landscape paints a jaw dropping and awe-inspiring picture. It's quite humbling, as it makes us feel so small in the grand scheme of the world. We are the ants to the mountains.
As much as sunshine and sweet air soothes the soul, it also wakes it up. When the world is quiet is when I seem to find my best thoughts, ideas, and my best poetry. When there's no distractions, nothing pulling me from the world of nature, no hustle and bustle. No noise. Just the voice of nature and me. Just being.
A lot of people love to read on the beach while the waves crash, as they sit in the sand and soak in the sun. Since I don't have a beach in my backyard, the next best thing is a garden bench or a creek in the woods. Or even sitting on a tree stump or on top of a branch.
Rainstorms are the other natural aesthetic that I utilize to write with. I sleep better with the sound of rain, so it seems sensible I would write better with it as well.
Seeing as how these things are so peaceful and comforting, the only thing better would be having poetry to describe all these wonderful pieces of earth. The poem below is a unique representation of the view of a waterfall, and it is very beautiful and clever in its descriptions.
The Waterfall
With what deep murmurs through time's silent stealth
Doth thy transparent, cool, and wat'ry wealth
Here flowing fall,
And chide, and call,
As if his liquid, loose retinue stay'd
Ling'ring, and were of this steep place afraid;
The common pass
Where, clear as glass,
All must descend
Not to an end,
But quicken'd by this deep and rocky grave,
Rise to a longer course more bright and brave.
Dear stream! dear bank, where often I
Have sate and pleas'd my pensive eye,
Why, since each drop of thy quick store
Runs thither whence it flow'd before,
Should poor souls fear a shade or night,
Who came, sure, from a sea of light?
Or since those drops are all sent back
So sure to thee, that none doth lack,
Why should frail flesh doubt any more
That what God takes, he'll not restore?
O useful element and clear!
My sacred wash and cleanser here,
My first consigner unto those
Fountains of life where the Lamb goes!
What sublime truths and wholesome themes
Lodge in thy mystical deep streams!
Such as dull man can never find
Unless that Spirit lead his mind
Which first upon thy face did move,
And hatch'd all with his quick'ning love.
As this loud brook's incessant fall
In streaming rings restagnates all,
Which reach by course the bank, and then
Are no more seen, just so pass men.
O my invisible estate,
My glorious liberty, still late!
Thou art the channel my soul seeks,
Not this with cataracts and creeks.
-Henry Vaughan (1622-1695)
I would also recommend reading Song for the Rainy Season by Elizabeth Bishop, and The Waterfall by Hannah Flagg Gould, both of which you can read through the links below.
If you find yourself being a rainy-day writer like me, then I hope you'll find some inspiration while writing about the wonders of nature, including waterfalls.
Happy reading!
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