The Upper Platte River
“I’m sure you’ll be just fine”, they said
In truth what could possibly go wrong?
Your kids are older, you’re all in good shape
And your husband, he looks quite strong.
The current flows smooth, not rough, not wild
The scenery, no place can compare.
Take time to admire all creatures on shore
Take time to view birds in the air.
Well this sounds delightful,
A fun family trip.
The strangers advising us,
They did not flip.
So into the water, canoe, kids, and gear,
The sun shining bright in the sky.
Pushed off from the shore, excited and ready,
Picked up by the current passing by.
The first three minutes went exceptionally well,
We had made a most excellent choice.
Puffed up in pride at our parenting prowess,
We had almost missed her small voice.
Our youngest asked, “Why are the trees laying down?”
“They are stretching out into the river!”
Coming up fast was a maze of downed trees,
No room to pass, just a sliver.
“We’re not going to make it!”, I screamed in fear,
“Relax” said his voice from in back.
“I know I can navigate us through this mess,”
“We will make it through that crack!”
“Paddle hard on the right, nobody lean,”
“Girls please stop crying”.
We did make it through with no room to spare,
But boy those strangers were lying!
The river raged on for miles this way,
A tree and rock obstacle course.
Every last muscle in my body was tense,
My strained, screaming voice now so hoarse.
Now lay before us a choice to make,
Two tunnels ‘neath an overpass.
Did they say to go left? Did they say to go right?
We should have paid attention, but alas.
We chose wrong! Decided to go left,
We really should have gone right.
Our canoe now beached atop a rock pile,
All our children screeching in fright.
Our little one screams, “I don’t want to drown!”
We were stuck there what seems like forever.
Husband says, “I’m just going to swing the back end around,”
Middle child exclaims, “ I’m never canoeing again, NEVER!”
We finally dislodge spinning out of control,
Boys grinning ear to ear.
Girls folded over in fetal position,
Totally petrified, frozen in fear.
In silence we travel the final last leg,
Our confidence kicked to the curb.
Great expectations of new family fun,
In reality not so superb.
So what is the lesson? What have we learned?
What can we possibly say?
Put your kids in a canoe, take advice from strangers,
It’ll be a great story some day!
by January Haulenbeek