This summer the Okanagan Regional Library asked the community to send us haiku about Okanagan Lake. We received numerous submissions that celebrate Okanagan Lake and the lives we lead living adjacent to this magnificent body of water. And we sincerely thank all of those who sent us a haiku.
Read the submissions below or download the collection in your preferred format: PDF or EPUB.
1.
floating on slow waves
warm shades of sunset above
a heron watches
2.
a sudden gust hits
race to batten down the hatch
the mooring line snaps
Suzanne Aubin
Surface sun sparkles
Ominous churning beneath
Pizza on the beach
Carlene
Jumping off the dock
Paddleboarding on the lake
Are there sharks below?
Isabelle, 8.
The lake plays the blues
Those old fashion southern blues
Oh, Bluewater, play on
Waves lap, pebbles tease
Happy feet are surrounded
Warm sunshine awaits
Today it is blue
Not green nor clear or light brown
Blue, true as your eyes
A jungle of greens
Browns are flowing in between
Water is the canvas
Grant Stovel
Valley of water
Quenching my thirst and my soul
Okanagan peace
Deep, clear, refreshing
Calm, raging, life giving source
Of our valley home.
Myrna Leader
On Okanagan Lake
Oar dips kayak skims water
Ripples race to shore
Floating on water
Deep within the depths reflects
Starry sky above
Down deep in the depths
where all silent dark surrounds
lurks a monstrous tail
Linda Kayfish, July 2020
Hey! Ogopogo!
My swim crosses your deep lair.
We both love cold lakes.
Richard Kicksee
Shimmering water
Catching endless drops of sun
Warming the darkness
"I'll rest here,"- The Lake
"Seek me in drought and despair,
I'll water you, child."
Leah Robertson
1. Glazed /s
Ancient deep water
Boat fuel and suntan-oil glazed
Wind and rain bring calm
2. Beauty
Reflection distorts
Rhythmic surface disturbance
Dance of wind and waves
3. Calm
Early morning still
Tranquil mirror revealing
Mysteries of peace
Owen Goward, West Kelowna, BC
Look! I see something!
Rippling wake after nothing?
Ogogopo’s there!
Shawn Bird
Childhood memories
A drop of water
The reflection of grandma
I will not forget
Swimming I find peace
From the storm inside my heart
I yearn for her hugs
To relive what was
In heaven she sits ashore
The Okanagan
Brooke Hovey
The Green Serpent Swims
A Freshwater Fjord Folklore
Our Ogopogo
Vernon North Penticton South
Meet me at the Lake
Hailey Sadler
Okanagan Lake
seven years old sitting on
Ogopogo's head
Diana Joy
Lake of mystery
your shores windswept, inviting
my boat carves deeply
Bobbing joyously…
ominous clouds brought by wind –
treacherous waves strike
3.
Oh wondrous water
upon which eyes dream to feast
reveal your beauty
Jenn Barrett, Summerland BC
Black water wild moon
Shimmering waves of amber
Gold sails in the night
Peter Critchley