Birds of Nebraska: Newspaper Accounts, 1854-1923

December 30, 1923. Omaha Sunday World-Herald 59(13): 3-W. A Forest and Stream Letter Box feature.

A Dream.

Dedicated to Sandy G.

  • I dreamed of a lake, deep hid in the woods,
  • In length it was more than a mile.
  • I saw it dotted here and there,
  • By many a small green isle.
  • I also saw bluffs,
  • To the shore dropping steep,
  • Their casting shadows
  • Making the water look deep.
  • This lake of which I dreamed had many bays,
  • In fact an irregular shore.
  • In which grew rushes, wild rice,
  • And lily pads galore.
  • Here and there I saw a rock,
  • And an occasional log,
  • So enticing to the angler,
  • To try with fly or frog.
  • To hook the wary bass,
  • No doubt there in wait,
  • To make its fierce rush,
  • When he cast out the bait.
  • A companion I had,
  • A friend staunch and true,
  • We each getting pleasure,
  • From woods and canoe.
  • On the shore of the lake,
  • Where in followed a brook,
  • We had built our log cabin,
  • In a well shaded nook.
  • We would pass our time hunting,
  • Or in casting for fish.
  • Thus living close to nature,
  • Nothing more did we wish.
  • On came the Fall,
  • The best time of the year.
  • When we shot many partridge,
  • And an occasional deer.
  • As the weather turned colder,
  • And the ducks took to flight,
  • We had sport beyond measure,
  • Each morning and night.
  • Then when the winter came on,
  • With snow falling light,
  • In the hunting of rabbits,
  • Time took its quick flight.
  • The weather grew colder.
  • And the snow it piled high,
  • With our pipe and our book,
  • The days they slipped by.
  • Then I awoke,
  • And found it a dream,
  • But surely in dreamland,
  • Did I live a life supreme.
  • - Frank Chittenden.