MANUSCRIPT: The dummy for this book is in progress.

DOWN IN THE SWAMP - 373 words

(1)

Title Page

(2/3)

Copyright/Dedication

(4/5) 

High up on the hill,

a warm wind blows through the pines 

as morning awakes.

Up in the branches, 

birds twitter, squirrels chatter

and race through the trees,

(6/7)

As Daddy and I 

tiptoe quietly away 

with paddles in hand:

Down the garden path,

past daisies and sunflowers

so recently fed;

(8/9)

Down to the swamp, where

a cool breath meanders through

the ancient cypress.

Pinpoints of soft light

glisten and sparkle 

through the treetop canopy.

(10/11)

Swish, swish, the paddles

weave us through the cypress knees,

down the dark river.

We watch. We listen...

carried along by the swell 

of April showers.

(12/13)

From the low, low banks,

tupelo and gallberry 

sweeten the spring air

As curtains of moss 

fall gently to the water

from towering oaks.

(14/15)

A soft gentle splash 

tells us we are not alone.

The swamp is alive.

Alligators creep 

through the dark muck of a slough,

all eyes and nostrils.

(16/17)

Orb weavers spin luminous webs

that stretch from branch to branch,

joining vine to vine,

As bullfrogs, 

singing their last evening melody,

settle down to sleep.

(18/19)

Then the air is still,

calm, quiet, chill - 

like the swamp is holding its breath.

Far in the distance,

the call of a whippoorwill 

breaks the deep silence.

(20/21)

Then, all around us,

The clear music of the swamp

A unique cadence

The air itself sings,

Softly, and with a rhythm

Only the swamp knows

(22/23)

From high in an oak,

in a wise, wondering voice,

the swamp asks, Who? Who?

But no answer comes,

and the swamp is still again - 

mostly still again.

(24/25)

Slowly, the music returns.

This time, I think, it’s for us -

a song of welcome.

Around a corner,

I see through the low branches 

that we have arrived.

(26/27)

There, in a clearing,

made only by Daddy's hands,

a small cabin sits,

As if it has spent 

this spring morning in waiting

for Daddy and me,

(28/29)

Knowing we would come.

It seems a part of these woods,

willing us to stay.

Soon, we will go back,

up to our home in the sun,

my daddy and me;

(30/31)

But not yet - not yet.

Time has only just begun,

here, down in the swamp. 

(32 - fold out)

Illustrated glossary of swamp terms and animals:

• Slough

• Bald Cypress tree

• Cypress knee

• Live Oak

• Gallberry tree

• Tupelo tree

• Pitcher plant

• Spanish moss

• Whippoorwill

• Alligator

• Bullfrog

• Barred owl

• Sandhill crane

• Great blue heron

• Golden-silk orb weaver spider

• Water moccasin

• Black rat snake

• Corn snake

• Copperhead snake

• Snapping turtle/alligator snapping turtle

• Cooter (turtle)

• Yellow-bellied slider (turtle)

• River otter

• Raccoon

• Bobcat

• Red fox

• White-tail deer