POEM: Champaign Reef

Dive and enjoy the fizz from the Champaign
As the coral reef looks on at this sight.
Bubbles floating like a carnival train.

Ascending to the surface, tough terrain.
A steep climb, yet they pour out into the light,
As lookers gawk at this picturesque frame.

Many travelers have through shine or rain
Descended on the magnificent flight
Of colorful creatures swimming in plain

Vibrant paths, still untarnished by the stain
Of man’s recklessness, and conquering might.
Gaze voyagers, by this magic be slain.

The deeper you dive, the warmer the vein
Of bubbles gush from the corals, a bright
Melodic view, its beauty on all reins.

Visit often, keep it clean and refrain
From destroying nature, but speak or write
Sing or dream of this great reef of Champaign.

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11 Comments

  1. November 27, 2010

    Please keep up the good work

  2. September 27, 2010

    Yes Joel, Keep writing

  3. DA Hater
    September 27, 2010

    I have a poem 4 all u 2 let u know the truth behind the men in power

  4. Tryphena
    September 25, 2010

    I just love that line ‘The deeper you dive, the warmer the vein’ can’t get it out my brain…I want to experience that dive..

  5. Adrian
    September 25, 2010

    Fine piece of writing Joel. Yea, soon you will get good as me..just kidding. Keep writing my friend. I hope to read more soon and waiting for your book of poetry.

  6. sweetchica
    September 24, 2010

    this is a very nice poem indeed

  7. past student
    September 24, 2010

    great job as always sir!! your poems always seem to bring my mind a mile away. In this instance, I’m enjoying Champaign:)

  8. love it
    September 24, 2010

    this poem is so green, wonderful description now i can’t wait to visit Champaign

  9. September 23, 2010

    I am not a person who likes poetry, because I never understand what the writer is telling me as he or she rhymes the lines around without making any sense, from one verse to the other. By the time the poem comes to an end, I am still wondering what is the story about.

    But this one produced a theme that continued all through its verses right down to the end. I do not know anything about diving and snorkeling, but it is a beautiful poem. I wish they would all come like that.

    Thanks to you, Mr Challenger.

  10. September 23, 2010

    Wonderful.
    It was 1989 while leading a lone elderly French Lady (Simone) on her second dive in Dominica, I attempted to describe the hot spring dive….as it was called then.

    It was her expression of delight as she kissed her finger tips and exclaimed “Ahhh!!!! Champaign! Champaign!

    Well that was how it got the name Champaign

    It was only a few months later that I recognized her in a dive magazine as Simone Melchior Cousteau wife of Jacques-Yves Cousteau

    http://www.oceanfutures.org/about/cousteau-family/simone-melchior-cousteau

  11. beautiful
    September 23, 2010

    Wonderful job on the poem Joel! Anyone who has gone snorkeling there can backup your description of the place and experience. Keep the great poems coming!

    (maybe someone out there wants to donate their picture of Champaign Reef, and get photo credit, to accompany the reading of this poem on DNO, just a suggestion ;-)

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