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Wandering
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Wandering |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA 
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Wandering The muskeg beckoned in the heat Of early summer; I'd retreat And wander deep on boggy ground, Where wild berries could be found And if you dug down through the peat, You would find a lovely treat. Icy water, faintly pink, Oozing up for you to drink! Upon the moss I used to lie And stare for ages at the sky. Watching clouds that sailed along And listening to the blackbird's song. I had a place I'd visit there. A big, flat rock and it was where The white bog orchid stalk was found, With big leaves lying on the ground. Indian pipes, twinflowers too And cottongrasses also grew. The yellow, lady's slipper, tall, Was my favorite of them all And in the lazy afternoon, Soothed by sunny warbler's tune, All the world seemed far away. I'd stay until the end of day, But finally wander back to find People I had left behind! Betty Lou Hebert |
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| © Copyright 2009 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved | |||
Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
The muskegs were mysterious places when I was little. The best berries were found there and the Sandhill Cranes always stopped to rest for a time. It's where cotton grass grew and the moss would sink under small, bare feet. The trees were ancient and shrunken - my father said that they were like Bonsai and showed us pictures. Betty Lou, thank you for opening the door to my memories (again). Love, Alison |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Dear Alison: It's nice to meet someone who also enjoyed being in the muskeg. The strawberries there were delicious! My muskeg was in northern Canada but I assume your's wasn't as I don't believe we had sandhill cranes there. Thanks for commenting. Best wishes Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Mine is in the southern part of Alaska. xoxox A |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Dear Alison: Well we weren't all that far apart then. I was near the Peace River in Northern Alberta. Love Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Such a beautiful area. A |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
Betty you draw such a vivid picture I feel as though I had seen this place even though I have not ever seen the Muskegs. Thanks for posting it. Love, Joyce |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Dear Joyce: Good to hear from you Joyce. I loved the muskeg country when I was a child. I might not feel the same if I went there now however! Love Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Verbena Member
since 2005-10-17
Posts 196Australia |
Dear Betty Lou I've never heard of a muskeg before but what a beautiful and serene place you have versed about and one that I have not experienced. It's wonderful to be reading your poetry again! Love Verbena xo |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Dear Verbena: I wouldn't think there were muskegs in Australia. They are common in the northern part of this hemisphere. Northern Canada and Alaska and I think some of the southern states also. Perhaps even the north/eastern states. They are like no other place I know of! Thanks for reading! Love Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Muskeg is an acidic soil type common in Arctic and boreal areas, although it is found in other northern climates as well. Muskeg is more-or-less synonymous with bogland but muskeg is the standard term in non-Atlantic Canada and Alaska (while bog is more common elsewhere). The term is of Cree origin, maskek (ᒪᐢᑫᐠ  meaning low lying marsh.[1] Large tracts of this soil existing in Siberia may be called muskeg or bogland interchangeably. Muskeg consists of dead plants in various states of decomposition (as peat), ranging from fairly intact sphagnum moss, to sedge peat, to highly decomposed muck. Pieces of wood such as buried tree branches can make up five to 15 percent of the peat soil. Muskeg tends to have a water table very near the surface. As well, the sphagnum moss forming it can hold 15 to 30 times its own weight in water, allowing the spongy wet muskeg to form even on sloping ground. Muskeg patches are ideal habitats for beavers, pitcher plants, agaric mushrooms and a variety of other organisms. I had to look this up.I now understand the muskeg area. Bog was a more familar word. I loved the picture you planted within my head and would love to have shared that flat rock with you. Thanks for this post. latearrival. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I love your wanderings, Betty Lou! Beautifully done! |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
latearrival: Thanks for looking up the definition of muskeg. It gave me information I didn't know. I lived with it but didn't really understand its makeup! I really enjoyed the time I spent in it i know. Glad you enjoyed the poem and since I was always alone, it would have been fun to have had someone to share it all with. Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Denise: Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this poem. I appreciate hearing from you! Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
...I'd stay until the end of day, But finally wander back to find People I had left behind!... Yes- a happy place, a happy time. But, we do have to go back. Thanks for the visit. Melton |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Melton: Thanks for commenting. Betty Lou Betty Lou Hebert |
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