I lived in Manotick, Ontario for 11 years. My home was about 100 meters from the Rideau River. I paddled this river every spring, summer and fall; and observed its winter hue from the chocks of the Manotick Mill (above). I loved this little piece of paradise. It was heaven sent.
Rideau Hues
(My Memory)
The light green hue from a soft summers rain
Showers: placid, like sheets of shimmering velvet dew
On a river’s course with ripples faint
Like drops of pure delight, renewed
The soft palette hue of a late autumn’s day
Bright sunshine rays of seduction’s warmth
Reflect the gold and bright crimson leis
That flutter softly down on the river’s form
A deep dark hue, bold indigo cold
Feel the winter’s breath that signals nature’s rest
Before the ice that forms a frigid blanket fold
So fresh, so clean, my senses… crest
Symphonic hues spring fresh to brew
For it is nature’s best time now to sing
From a thousand shades of freshness new
With sounds so strong, yet mellow, ring
These Rideau hues have now been sketched
On my mind’s eye’s screen, God’s perfection thrust
For all to see from nature, stretched
Over a canvass pure, on this earthly crust
© John Morrison 2005
Picture was taken from the mill’s chocks in winter.
Perfection, just like this: