Prompt: write a poem that recounts a historical event
Rose Island
In her hay day
100 years ago
she was magnificent
A gem of southern Indiana
accessible by steamboat
up or down the Ohio river
from Louisville or Madison
and by automobile through Jeff
The day of the day trips
started early, 4am
washing, dressing, packing
frying chicken for the picnic lunch
The boat set off at 7am sharp
music and dancing filling the air
as families, couples, and singles alike
enjoyed the slow, bustling ride
25 cent admission, per adult
a dime for the little ones in tow
entrance by 10 am, departure at 4
a day full of unmatched amusement
A roller rink slash dance hall
A hotel and cottages to rent
the Walkway of Roses and a bear
named Teddy Roosevelt in the “zoo”
But the truest marvel: the first
filtered-water swimming pool in the Midwest
a floating top in the center, diving boards
folks climbing trees to jump the wood fence
In 1937, tragedy struck
the water feature soon underwater
floodwaters rising, rushing, consuming
two-thirds of the city destroyed
And little, lovely Rose Island
there, apart from the chaos
consumed, buried
a murky blanket set it to rest
The waters receded in time
as always they do
but no recovery was to be made
the glory and beauty of Rose Island
left behind, preserved in memory