Manitou Island, is such a neat place
To visit and roam, Rock hunters embrace.
With numerous agates, around all its shore
Most visitors love it, and come back for more.
Looking for gems, combing the beaches
Lay out in the sun, or explore the far reaches.
Find some adventure, it never gets old
The peace and quiet, as precious as gold.
Gull Rock, with the setting sun reflecting, looks like it’s lit up.
Gull Rock has a lighthouse, that sits all alone
Off the Keweenaw Point, where keepers called home.
Back in the days, navigation was tough
Wrapped by cold waters, and waves that are rough.
The windows high up, and built on a rock
Protected from waves, but no place to dock.
Remote and deserted, today it as it stands
With an outhouse behind it, but almost no land.
Manitou Island Lighthouse at the east end of Manitou
Manitou Lighthouse, with its red top
Supported by framework, that sits upon rock.
Under the light, a stairway that’s round
Ending 12 feet, before it reaches the ground.
A walkway that enters, into the quarters
Of the light keeper, and other boarders.
Down a stairway with handrail, wrapped in brown twine
The kitchen and pantry, is what you will find.
Gull Rock Light off the end of the Keweenaw Point, near Manitou Island
Lighthouses are special, in their own way
I ponder the keepers, who committed to stay.
To keep the lights burning, while mariners rolled
To navigate safely, around reefs and shoal.
The season is coming, when no visitors go
To see the lighthouses, the beaches and shoal.
The gales of November, are sure to entomb‘er
Those who go out, after October.
There’s time to enjoy it, see colors this fall
Before cold weather comes, we’ll have a ball.
Let’s go for a ride, come for a tour
I’m sure you’ll love it, and come back for more.
Brian Helminen
