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The Four Great Pines
Kawaga is remembered in many
ways by different people. Some reminisce about the beautiful heritage and
warm tradition. Others remember the staff and varied activities. And, of
course everyone looks back on their accomplishments of camping
years--whether they be tangible or intangible.
Throughout Kawaga, there are many examples of physical beauty which will
also be a part of our memories. Perhaps no single feature is more
meaningful to us than the four great pine trees that stand on Kawaga's
north shore. These mighty trees have been so glorified in poem, song, and
legend that they, indeed, have become symbolic of camp.
For a moment, let us see Kawaga as the pines have seen her, generation
upon generation; each pine watching and standing for a particular part of
camping yet each uniting with the other to contribute to the good of the
whole.
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The Four Great Pines
Four Great pines for ages stood
As sentinels o'er lake and wood,
As landmarks in the sky.
The Indian maid and warrior took
These great tall pines as a trysting nook
Away from the battle cries.
He told her of his love and then
Of mighty battles in which he'd been,
And where the red man dies.
Four Great tall pines lived ages thru,
And saw pines die; and other grew
To shelter man again
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The white man's child comes here to grow
In health and strength and learns to know
The life of now and then
In play and work and campfire song,
The pines, they watch for eight weeks long
The boys grow into men.
The lonesomeness, the pines still stand
Thru winters storms on lake and land,
And wait the boys again.
As thru the ages past they stood,
They'd tell the future if the could
Of who'll return and when ---
Thru fall and winter--spring they wait
In silence standing by his mate,
In lonesomeness---and then----
Stanley S.
Tarrant,1923
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