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Open Poetry #37
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The Iris Still Blooms
| Open Poetry #37 |
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The Iris Still Blooms |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia 
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Zacharias had a dog, that he called Blue; Blue was a puppy and Zach was a kid. Up on Stony Man Mountain, you'd find them two... Together, in whatever they did. In later years...Zach married Heddy. They built a home. Then, in the Summer of nineteen twenty two... God needed a good dog at the foot of His throne; And on the hillside they buried Ol' Blue. Heddy raised flowers; a daughter and a son. All grew strong in the good mountain air. Every Spring the neighbors would come... To see the Irises she'd planted there. For generations unknown the mountains were home, Until the government said, "You can't stay!" "You're too dumb to understand, but we need your land!" "We're building the Hoover Highway!" Look deep into the yonder... Where dis-placed spirits abide; If you ever wander... Along what they call Skyline Drive. Some say the mist comes from the tears... Of the families who lived there for hundreds of years. Their past has been buried, without markers or tombs; But every Spring... the irises bloom. Politicians and Bankers needed public support So they devised a devilish plan... All the newspapers began to report... How them mountain folk needed a hand. Those mountains are filled with inbreds and stills; Of intelligence, theres not a trace. They're dirty and lazy; laying up in them hills; Letting all of that land go to waste ! They came with their warnings... "We're blasting in the morning...Above where your cabin stands!" They tore through Front Royal! They ripped through Swift Run! They tore through Ol' Stony Man! Those mountains were sown with hundreds of homes... All they knew and all that they had. Where their dreams had grown and their children had roamed... Since Great Grandaddy's Great Grandad. The Preacher came 'round and bowed his head down; Zacharias got down on his knees... He looked up to the sky, with tears in his eyes... And said, "Oh Lord! Help us please!" Then the Preacher, he spoke, with a lump in his throat... "Lord! Light our way in this hour so dark!" He said, "I thank God that I have a mansion on High... With no Congress or National Park!" It didn't come easy, but Heddy somehow... Got Zacharias to lay down his gun. "The damage is done... We can't win no how!" "Think of me and your daughter and son!" So, like thousands of others...Pushed off of their land... His soul up and left him that day. They blasted right through the grave of ol'Blue... And a steam shovel hauled it away. Look deep into the yonder... Where dis-placed spirits abide! If you ever wander... Along what they call Skyline Drive. Some say the mist comes from the tears... Of the families who lived there for hundreds of years. Their past has been buried, without markers or tombs; But every Spring...the Irises bloom. The Iris still blooms! |
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| © Copyright 2006 Larry F. Leake - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"Some say the mist comes from the tears... Of the families who lived there for hundreds of years. Their past has been buried, without markers or tombs; But every Spring...the Irises bloom. The Iris still blooms!" A bittersweet write Larry... You are a great storyteller, keep up the great work. Hugs~Nancy ~ Trace my body with your words, |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Wonderful tale Uriah and so well told! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
XOx Uriah xOX A fine piece of writing. Enjoyed |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Larry, this is one of the best stories I've read here in the blue. I'll be keeping a copy in my library. Thank you, for honoring Zach, ol Blue, and the history that still breathes in the mist. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Some say the mist comes from the tears... Of the families who lived there for hundreds of years. The title caught me... the tale held me... and touched my heart. *S* |
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