Years ago during his retirement years, my father took a class called “Swamp, Bog, Marsh and Fen.” At the time, I could not even imagine why anyone would want to study something so horribly dull. Good grief! I put it in the same category as his enjoyment of whole wheat bread (shudder) and marmalade (ugh).
Never doubt that the Lord has a sense of humor, folks. Here I am in my mid-60’s and I absolutely love whole wheat bread and marmalade. And now, on the brink of writing a children’s book about a bog lemming, I found myself yesterday doing some good old-fashioned research into the difference between…you guessed it: swamps, bogs, marshes and fens. I was not nearly curious enough about the world when I was younger, nor about the world’s Maker.
Naturally, I wrote a poem, which might appear in the book. I wanted to keep it simple so I left scads of stuff out, but hopefully, the distinctions are made plain enough.
A swamp, my friend, has slow moving waters,
Where trees grow, near rivers or lakes.
The water stays still in the mellow marsh,
Non-woody plants feed the drakes.
A fen is a mystery, it’s almost a bog,
It’s groundwater seeping through clay.
But the peat-filled bog is dependent on rain
And water collects there to stay.
Oh, Dad, Dad, Dad…I’m sorry I scorned your interest in this big, beautiful world. Just think of the conversations we could have had if I’d woken up earlier.
Dad would have been 97 today if he were still alive, so it seems fitting to tell this story today.
I’ll probably swamp this in the morning.
Lynniebeemuseoday 
I love all your insights and all your curiosity, Lynn! It may have come a little late with this topic, but I hope your Dad somehow knows of your interest now :-) My Dad will be 94 on the 25th. Their birthday’s were pretty close to each other! Thanks for your fun writing!
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Thank you, Anonymous! I’d love to know who wrote that comment, though. 😊.
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Oh, Lynnie! What a wonderful tribute to your Dad..! You and your Dad will have Eternity to talk and talk and talk about swamps, bogs, marsh, and fens – and about God’s beautiful creation reborn!
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Thanks!
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now that was fun to think about. I’m sure I would have reacted the same way in my younger years. I wish I had learned more about my Dad’s gardening skills when I was younger. He had the most amazing garden…..roses, azaleas , camellias, all kinds of berries and fruit trees, surrounding a big fish pond. He had a gift. Thanks for sharing these fun thoughts of your Dad. Barbie
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It gives me a wise perspective when my children don’t share my enthusiasms. All in good time!
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A good floating bog is a wonderful place to hang out. Hard to find a place to sit down and relax, though, I will admit.
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Unless you go to Big Bog State Park where they have a wonderful bog walk for you! 😊
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