River's Lament

River's Lament

The things that I am feeling, I must have to turn and face..

So what is this since of yearning, for a lost time and place?

My life lay before me, from now until the end.

So this yearning of nostalgia, this pain I have to mend.

We’ll cast our line upon the water, and chat upon the shore.

We’ll share our catch around the fire, and never ask for more.

We’ll stay at river’s edge till dark, walk to camp by light of moon.

We’ll cook over fire pit, eat with finger we forgot the spoon.

We’ll laugh about the day’s events as the salmon splash in pools.

We’ll hide our heads inside sleep bags; the night is brisk and cool.

We’ll be awakened at the crack of dawn by the singing of the birds.

We’ll lay in bed and listen to, the sweetest songs that can be heard.

We’ll fish the pools we’ve grown to love, net each others trout.

We’ll not count on luck to help us; we will help each other out.

We’ll be sad to see this trip come to end, the memories will transcend

Then my yearning for this lost time and place; will soon begin again.

By Ray Asaph

Somewhere On A River Poem

I found this poem I wrote in 2007. It is about my buddy Marvin who passed away at age 35. Marvin was one funny great guy whom I had many great 3 day fishing trip with on the upper reaches of the North Branch of the Main Miramichi. With no further ado,  here is the poem.

Somewhere On a River

Somewhere on a river

My mind drifts far away

Thinking of my fondest thoughts

Memories of yesterday.

Four good friends together

We laughed and worked as one

To canoe our way up river

Before we lost the sun.

We pitched our tent we made our bed

All our work was done

Laughing faces flickered by campfire light

Until the morning sun.

As time goes on things come to pass

These times once had by all

One of us four has since laid to rest

The others busy with life’s calls.

Yet when we meet we start to talk

We plan a fishing trip for three

We will surely take the other 4th guy

But only in memories

When God decides to take our youth

Will there be anyone to take our place

Or will this intimacy be forgotten

Among the human race.

There is too much to comprehend

To understand life’s twisted maze

Modern Man lives with inflated self worth

I choose to stick to my ancient ways.

By Ray Asaph