The River-Lake
After the cooling shower
Soft is the twilight hour
On the river-lake.
Sweetly the plaintive note
Gushes from whippoorwill’s throat,
Gently, gently we float,
Light as a fine snow-flake,
Down the river-lake.
The dripping oars at rest
Their murmurous music wake,
And ripple o’er the breast
Of the peaceful river-lake.
The lovely shadows fall
Like a sin-outshutting wall
On the river-lake,
Charming the hour and place.
The holiness we trace
In Nature’s quiet grace
Makes sacred for her sake
All on the river-lake.
O this is purest joy!
This it is that makes
Me love the wide St. Croix,
The river-lake of lakes.
E. L. FALES.