Aunt Lillian was a matriarch, a true example of power and grace. She belonged to our contributor, JO. Lillian was an educator, a devoted wife, and a poet ‘who saw special hidden messages in everything and that they would lead to something good.’ She wore a brilliant smile, had a determined spirit, and ‘dressed to the nines,’ Her kindness, faithfulness, and devotion to family ‘was very rare.’ 

Though her poems remain unpublished, we are giving Lillian her voice; because rare and wonderful women should be heard. —ANI

Mighty Depths by Lillian Mack

The restless wind was blowing free 
	O’er the oceans vast expanse;
The wave lets crept upon the break 
	As through fearful to advance 

There was naught to mar the beauty
	Of Mother Nature's handiwork so fair;
Just the deep & mighty ocean,
	And the cliffs so high & bare

The tide through the countless ages past
	Had slowly, but surely, made
Great caverns in their rocky base, 
	When the sunbeams never played. 

The mighty depths of the ocean
	Moved slowly in currents strong, 
That made their way to other climes
	In a quiet Journey long. 

There’s a great majestic river
	Meandering through a valley low, 
From the woodlands of Paul Bunyan
	To the Gulf of Mexico

Through the Chippewa's wild-rice fields
	And the Cajun’s fishing grounds, 
Fed by many other rivers
	From high bluffs & rolling mounds

It too is mighty, deep & wide, 
	With movement strong & steady; 
Where old storm-wheelers once were piled
	Past keelboats broad & heavy.

Where on the crewmen passed their time, 
	In voices that were burley, 

A chanting to the fiddler’s lilt
	“ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI.”
	
'Twas along the muddy river
	That Evangeline once trod, 
As she sought her wandering lover
	With faithful trust Mother Nature. 

Yes she found him in a mission
	While nursing with tender care, 
The swamp fever stricken strangers
	As she eased her wondering there. 

In his cheeks the burning fever
	Shown like glowing coals of flame; 
O’er his face, no longer youthful,
	Then death’s benediction came. 

Like a life deep rooted in earth
	Did the ocean seem to be, 
With its never ceaseless movement
	Bearing ships across the sea. 

Likewise the river mighty deep
	Did a message bring to me. 
Firm and strong the current of life
Mother Nature must be

photo credit: Jo Ann Fenstermacher

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