Ode to Lake Harmony

by Mark Peterson

This is a poem about a beautiful lake

In the west of the Pocono Mountains

Formed when the world was covered with ice For years that numbered in thousands.

As time marched on, jagged peaks wore down The rugged mountains softened their look Cold ice gave way to the green of the woods And the sound of the babbling brook

The first people arrived, and lived off the land Leni Lenape, Delaware, Susquehannock

Their spirit remains in the places they named Like Mauch Chunk, Tobyhanna, and Tunkhannock

When settlers arrived, this was called the Pine Swamp

It seemed a dark and mysterious space

But soon after that, many trees were cut down And train tracks were then put in their place

Industry came, and industry went

Lehigh Tannery is now only ruins

But then came hotels, hunting lodges and cabins Old business replaced by the new ones.

Big Boulder, Jack Frost and old Hazard Run

Are the places where folks enjoy skiing

The winter is awesome with lots of good fun

And the hot tub water is steaming