The Islands: Island Stories: Poetry: Alex Grattan poems

Alex Grattan Poems




Please let me know if you know of any
other such poems or stories!





By Alexander Grattan
who came to Kansas in 1872
from Amherst Island, Ontario, Canada

Submitted by Bonnie L. Jones
Here are 2 of Alexander's poems.
The first one mentions Amherst Island, the 2nd one talks about Ireland.

"To Look Things Over"

The first month I spent in Kansas
I found it hard to stay
away from Amherst Island
on pleasant Quinty Bay,
where I spent a good part of my days
full thirty years or more
on that fertile little Island
and on Lake Ontario�s shore.
That was in the cold winter of 1872
this place was quite a desert then
for houses there were few.
The plains being lately burned over
made it look dark and wild
and the atmosphere was colder here
than it was on Amherst Isle.
A storm they called a blizzard here
oft visited the plains
and always brought down with it
thunder, lightening, wind and rain
and rolled abound with electric force
from Northwest toward Southeast
and mostly killed all in its path
let that be man or beast.
The trees could grow in Kansas then
only where the rivers flowed
for the raging fires that erased the plains
would not let others grow.
And as there was no shelter
when that cloud came pouring down
what the deadly lightening did not kill
the rain did almost drown.
I saw that wild ducks a plenty
in each creek were to be found
the Prairie Chickens and plover
were in thousands flying around.
And the Antelopes and Buffalo
were in numbers on the plains
A sight no one ever will behold again.
I took my gun and started out
although the air was keen
but when the springtime rolled about
the plain got nice and green.
So I knew the sod that raised such grass
would raise corn and oats and wheat,
so I bought a spot and pitched a cot
beside Middle Emma Creek.
Going out one early morning
just as the sun did rise,
the sight I saw around me
gave me very much surprise
I stood amazed in wonder
at the pleasant sight I had seen
for in winter what was desert like
was now a flowery green.
To see the flowers blooming
that morning on the green
send my memory wandering back
to school days at Ardkeen
where oft among the flowering vines
I read thru the noon day hour
and that pleasant time came back to mind
when I saw those blooming flowers.
I then wrote to wife to sell up there
and bring the family here
for here they all would have a home
in the course of very few years.
And after I was ten years here
I took the train once more
to see a daughter we had left
on Lake Ontario�s shore
besides some cousins I loved most dear
who lived on Amherst Isle, I had not seen for years.
I stayed five weeks among them
but could no longer rest
so hurried back to Kansas
now the garden of the West
and up to my Prairie home
where for life I will remain
and pass my days until called away
to be laid in the flowery plain.

Recollections of my school days
By
Alexander Grattan

I have come thru place of every kinda
As I rolled from East to West.
But a pretty place I left behind
I will always mind the best,
and that place lies in Erin Isle,
and the Ards and County Down.
Conspicuous - only three miles-
from Porta - Ferry Town.
For there I spent my youthful days,
days that I still revere.
I often walked the shady groves
bedecked with flowers rare,
or wandered thru the old church yard,
up to the Castle Hill,
where I viewed the Bay from Hilada
around the Bishop's Mill.
In eighteen hundred and twenty five
a school house there was placed
by a lady - Doreas Savage - being the
last of all her race;
and as she did not limit cost,
it is plain to be seen
the best school here in all the North
was then built in Ardkeen.
At noon when boys went out to play
I chose some favorite book,
and in pleasant days with it I strayed
to a pretty flowery nook,
and lay among the scented vines
and read the noonday hour,
and that happy time comes back to mind
when I smell sweet scented flowers.







The Islands: Island Stories: Poetry: Alex Grattan
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