Classic Poem

ON KENTUCKY RIVER NEAR FRANKFORT .

April 27, 1900. To U. S. S.

The sun shone bright, and the azure blue
Of the sky seemed touching the verdant hue
Of hill-top, wheat-field and meadowland;
A scene that was nothing less than grand,
And one which with pleasure we admired,
(Although from the walk we were somewhat tired),
As together we sat on the rough, gray rocks,
Yesterday afternoon at the “Locks.”

We watched the river run placid and calm,
'Til it reached the stone and oaken dam,
Then suddenly over with maddening rush,
(Carrying with it the stone and brush)
It splashed and dashed in the water below,
Resembling a bank of new fallen snow;
It splashed and dashed on the walls of rock,
Where the gates of the dam were made to lock.

As over the pond birds flew and played,
You wondered why they were not afraid
Of falling into the water, and too,
You wondered much and wanted to know

If the falls had ever frozen o'er.
You wondered of these and many more,
As together we sat on the rough, gray rocks,
Yesterday afternoon at the “Locks.”