From my childhood. I was seven maybe eight that day.
The Lake was called Hicks Lake. Named after a boy
who drowned there. Today it is call Graham lake.
Each time they rename the lake you know someone
has drowned. The sign is posted swimming not allowed.
It looks so safe and serene to little boys. On the
day we played on the lake we were not swimming. Only
Jimmy and I could swim. Someone said there was an
undertow. We build a rickety raft and pushed off
shore. Blue skies and calm waters then came the winds.
JOHNNY BROWN LAKE---1946
We played we were riding
the waves of the deepest ocean
Our oars two long tree limbs
Our boat two downed rounded trees and
tied with rope a broken broken door
We were out in the world to explore
The sky from blue turned darkest black
The mast on a pole a soiled sheet
Sometimes there were Pirates about
Swords and sticks and arrows you see
One day a maiden called to me said she
On the shore Mom says you must be
I pushed out our ship and said goodbye
Only one of my friends came back that day
For too deep the waves took our ship away
Eight years old Johnny Brown drowned that day
Moms say, "Stay away from Johnny Brown lake today."