Poetry
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The sound of water is worth more than all the poets’ words.Octavio Paz
Waterfalls have lured artists, poets, musicians, and writers throughout recorded history. I’ve no doubt that somewhere there are prehistoric cave drawings depicting waterfalls. A worthy effort, I believe, would be a book about how waterfalls throughout the world have inspired creative minds, but I can offer only this meager beginning of a few examples that apply to North Carolina waterfalls. Although a comprehensive worldwide treatment of this subject is not available, I should mention Brian J. Hudson’s Waterfall, which includes a nice chapter on the subject.72 I highly recommend the book to anyone who loves waterfalls. Also, be sure to read the Art, Music, Literature, and Photographers 1800s & 1900s pages of this website.
I must admit that I’m not a poetry buff, which is surprising considering that my mother and brother loved poetry, as does my sister and niece. But I certainly appreciate it, and if waterfalls are involved, well, what’s not to like about that?
I’ve had a difficult time tracking down poems written about North Carolina waterfalls. I’m sure there are lots of them, old and new, but unfortunately, I have no way to find these poems except by chance. Do you know any poems, especially historical ones, which should be on this list?
As with all the arts and literature, I’m more interested in historical rather than contemporary poetry.
Steve Adams
"The Waterfall" (2021)
I must admit to being biased about including this one. It was written by my dear brother who passed away in 2022. Although the poem does not mention a specific waterfall or even a region, Steve was inspired to write it after making what may have been his last waterfall hike, a trek to Linville Falls with me and Patricia.
"The Waterfall"
Arthur Middleton Huger
“Tumblin’ Fun!” (1899)
“Cascadia, The Overhills of Ottary” (1899)
“Tarkoee, or Catawba Land” (1899)
“The Catawba River in Tarkoee” (1899)
“Loltee” (1899)
“Loltee, The Linville Loreyley” (1899)
“Tumblin’ Fun!” (1923)
Arthur Middleton (Chucky Joe) Huger, a botanist, poet, and adventurer, is mentioned throughout this website, particularly with regards to Transylvania County waterfalls. In addition to his writings, his name was immortalized with he naming of sweet Betsey trillium, which he supposedly discovered near Pearson Falls. The Latin name for the flower was Trillium hugeri until taxonomists changed it to Trillium cuenatum.
Huger wrote at least four poetry books using at least three different pen names: Rhymes by Reb (1877); Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899); Songs of the Sahkohnagas (1902); Waifs from the Wayside (1923).
At least two of these books (Pearls and Waifs) contain poems about North Carolina waterfalls. The others might, and there may be more waterfall poems in these two, I don’t know. I must admit, it hurts my brain trying to analyze Huger’s poetry.
I copied the poems from Pearls and Pebbles from a PDF of the original book downloaded from Library of Congress. The type is very difficult to read and Huger loves to use colons and dashes where they don’t belong. I’ve done the best I can transcribing these poems and I believe I have all the words spelled properly, but I’m sure there are several out-of-place periods, commas, dashes, and colons.
“Tumblin’ Fun!” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). This poem is about Tumblin Fun Falls.
“Cascadia, The Overhills of Ottary” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). Huger includes several waterfalls in this poem, including Toxaway, Tallulah (Georgia), Toccoa (Georgia), Tumblin Fun, Catawba, High (West Fork Tuckasegee), and Linville. There are more, but my brain is currently fried from trying to figure out what he’s talking about.
“Tarkoee, or Catawba Land” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). In this poem, Huger describes the run of Catawba River from the highlands to the valleys below. This is a small excerpt that talks about the falls.
“The Catawba River in Tarkoee” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). As with “Tarkoee, or Catawba Land,” this poem describes the run of Catawba River from the highlands to the valleys below and I’m including only an excerpt that talks about the falls.
“Loltee” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). "Witchy" Linville Falls.
“Loltee, The Linville Loreyley” from Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (1899). More Linville Falls sorcery.
“Tumblin’ Fun!” from Waifs from the Wayside (1923). Huger first published this poem in Pearls and Pebbles, A collection of Poems in Patches (see above). In Waifs, he presents a revised version.
Robert Frank Jarrett
Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake (1916)
Jarrett published Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake, as a poetic novel centered around Occoneechee, a young Cherokee maiden, her father Junaluska, and the warrior Whippoorwill.88 The lengthy poem “delves into themes of love, loss, and the rich heritage of the Cherokee people, intertwining the deep connection they have with nature and their struggles against encroaching forces.” (Excerpt from an automatically generated review published by project Gutenberg.)
The poem includes several references to North Carolina waterfalls, and the book features several waterfall photos. One of the images is Occoneechee Falls, now known as Paradise Falls on East Fork Tuckasegee River.
Jarrett purchased Dillsboro’s Mount Beulah Hotel in 1894 and changed the named to Jarrett Springs Hotel. After Jarrett’s death, the new owner renamed it The Jarrett House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the current owner is restoring the hotel.
Excerpt about Paradise Falls on East Fork Tuckasegee River taken from Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake.
Excerpt about High Falls on West Fork Tuckasegee River taken from Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake.
Excerpt about Linville Falls taken from Occoneechee, The Maid of the Mystic Lake.
R. Henry Scadin
Scadin is a well-known early photographer of North Carolina waterfalls, but he occasionally took a stab at poetry. He wrote this poem—apparently untitled—in 1897, and while more about Highlands in general than waterfalls, it seems appropriate to include. Plus, I like how he illustrated the poem.78
Here’s a greeting from the Highlands,
From the land that lies up where
There is strength, and health, and freedom,
In the forests and the air.
Where the mountain summits tower,
And the valleys peaceful lie,
Where the water-falls are singing,
And the brooks go purling by.
