| The Ichetucknee is the flagship spring for environmentalists–a muse for creatives and a sacred river for generations of global visitors.”

– Annie Pais

“Ichetucknee”

It is the continuous welling up from the earth
We must remember. Dawn comes, and the waters
Spring fresh, clear, vital from the earth.
Night comes, they well unabated from the dark.

Strange, is it not, that the temperature
Is always the same. The clarity is without change.
As the water blooms upward to become a petaled river
Each grain of sand below is visible as in air.

Over the oval, the mouth, the maw, the source
We cannot see down into the cavernous mystery
Into primitive limestone releasing the clear water.
We are impelled outward from the warm, strong center.

Our bodies delight in the flow of original life.

Freely in the stream of exhilarating non history
We can walk, swim, float in the clearest shallows.
Upon us the welling up of the source,
Around us the gift of the river, the way we must go.

Our bodies delight in the flow of original life.

– Richard Eberhart, “Florida Poems,” Konglomerati Press, Gulfport, Florida, 1981

The Ichetucknee, often referred to as the “crown jewel” of Florida’s springs and system of state parks, has throughout the years provided inspiration to countless gifted artists, artisans, photographers, writers and educators.

Many of the talented people who have found inspiration on the Ichetucknee are listed on the Art, Literature, Film and Culture page of the Springs Eternal Project’s website.

Has the Ichetucknee inspired you to be creative? If so, please contact us, or share your inspirations—art, poetry, photography, stories, songs, crafts—with us on the Ichetucknee Alliance Facebook group discussion page!