Niagara
Our one and only trip to America
in the Fall, almost forty-five
years ago. Rhode Island, Cape Cod,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Boston
... Niagara.
We drove through Buffalo
towards the falls, passing gaudy
'honeymoon hotels' boasting
the size of their water-beds.
The view from the US side
was impressive, yes,
the little tourist boat almost
under the cascade. We briefly
crossed the border, where
the water's much closer;
you stand on the path ,
see it plunging only feet
away. The view from Canada
was grander, whatever
Donald Trump might say.
Rolph David
Sun 16th Mar 2025 17:56
Dear Greg,
Your poem "Niagara" took me right back to my trip in 1986. Like you, we crossed from the US to Canada and were struck by the grandeur of the Falls. I laughed at your mention of the “honeymoon hotels” — those tourist traps certainly make the experience quirky. And your line about the view being grander from Canada, “whatever Donald Trump might say,” was a great touch!
Reading it also reminded me of Marilyn Monroe, whose film I watched around the same time. I couldn’t help but think of her 16-second walk in the penny heel shoe — that perfect blend of grace and power, much like the Falls themselves.
Thanks for bringing those memories back to life. Your poem captures the awe and the charm of such a memorable place perfectly.
Regards,
Rolph