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The Battle Of The Alamo
| Open Poetry #5 |
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The Battle Of The Alamo |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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I put my hand upon the stones- It seems to me they cry... “Tell it! Tell the story! Of the cause for which we died”. There is an eerie sense for me- Almost of deja vu- It seems I almost see the place From someone else’s view. And, friend, I cannot stay away- I’ve gone a score of times. And every time nostalgia seems To grip this heart of mine. I look from out the chapel door- No city do I see-- But walls of stone, a wood stockade A river lined by trees. And, yes, I see they’re cottonwoods- In Spanish “alamos”- It’s how the mission got it’s name Or so the legend goes. I walk about the courtyard- And glimpse a figure dim, And belted at his waist, a knife.. Lord help me! but it’s Jim! Bowie, of New Orleans fame- Vidalia sandbar, too- He wed the Veramendi girl... Was it in thirty-two? And who’s that with him? Ramrod straight! A soldiers bearing . too- I think it’s Colonel Travis- With his soldier’s coat of blue. I hear a fiddle playing- A haunting melody.... That fellow came with Crockett, And his band from Tennessee. And then the vision changes- There is tension all around... I hear a Spanish voice outside- And Travis shouting down... “No! We’ll not surrender! Hey, boys, give a yell”! Then he shouted to the gunners “Send our answer with a shell”! He called us all together- And bade us gather round.. Then he drew his army saber Drew a line upon the ground... Said, “We can’t depend on Fannin- And Houston’s far away.. If you love life you’re free to go- But as for me I’ll stay”! And as one man we stepped across- And heard bold Bowie say- “I cannot come across myself,. With help, I’d like to stay”. We carried Bowie’s cot across- For he was sick you see- And none of us would fault him, had He chosen to go free. One hundred eighty three did stay- And only one man chose- To flee the place and save his life His name was Moses Rose. I’ve heard him called a coward- But friend that isn’t true. He was a soldier with no cause- What else was he to do? Thirteen days the siege ensued- At last our ranks grew thin... Twice they charged and blew recall We could not hold again... At last they breached the stockade side Oh, God! They’re in the walls- And tears like rain fall on my cheeks Each time a comrade falls... Ah, me.. I get beside myself- Forgive my foolish passion... It seems I hear the musketry.. The roar of cannon crashing... Thanks for your time, now I must leave But just before I go- I’d like to doff my hat and grieve Here by the Alamo. Visit My Home Page http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/HomePage.html |
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| © Copyright 2000 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Incredible! I'm a sophmore, but taking a college history course, and this is extremely accurate from all that I know of The Alamo. I am truly impressed by your knowledge and how well the poem flows. I liked the angle of remembering it, just like 'remember the alamo' I guess. Wonderful!  *Krista Knutson* ~*Like a lion, without fear of the howling pack, Like a gust of wind, ne'er trapped in a snare, Like a lotus blossom, ne'er sprinkled by water, Let me, like a unicorn, in solitude roam.*~ Hymn Of Buddha |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is superb... I may bring this one back for several laps. Nice work, JB... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Slinger- NObody does it better. What a historical masterpiece this is. Absolutely superb. Love ~*Marge*~  ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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