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Open Poetry #10
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Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462


0 posted 2000-09-23 08:36 AM


If you head south from Salina,
                On highway eighty-one,
                You'll see a castle on a hill,
                Against the setting sun.

                Conquistadors came searching
                For cities made of gold,
                Wearing suits of armor,
                Just as the knights of old.

                Coronado was their leader,
                Quivira was his quest,
                He led his force of Spaniards,
                They came at Queen's behest.

                They crossed the plains of Kansas,
                No treasure was there found,
                Seeking out a place to camp,
                They climbed the highest mound.

                On the top of highest hill,
                The valley to survey,
                The found not the gold they sought,
                Decided not to stay.

                Left behind a monument,
                On Coronado Heights,
                Now tourists and vacationers,
                Drive up to view the sights.

                I climb atop the castle there,
                Gaze out across the plain,
                Out across the valley,
                On fields of golden grain.

                In setting sun I see the gold,
                Coronado failed to find,
                Golden cities, fields of wheat,
                The Spaniards, they were blind.

© Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2000-09-23 08:42 AM


Thank you for the lovely view...could see it all Mike.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2000-09-23 08:48 AM


Even under prayed-for clouds, Kansas shines and I remember it well...glad to see it again...

Karilea
When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ


Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
3 posted 2000-09-23 09:20 AM


Good morning Mike,
I believe that this is the first time I've been by your place. I'm glad I did, this is very well done, and I enjoyed.

Bill

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
4 posted 2000-09-23 09:58 AM


Ah this was beautiful! The gift is in eye of the beholder. You've found the true treasure!

<*\\\><

I know not what the future holds,
but I know Who holds the future.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
5 posted 2000-09-23 11:11 AM


With everyone writting about Kansas these days how am I NOT to want to go back.  I am missing it so bad and at every turn in here there ARE THESE LOVELY visions of what I left behind.  Mike this is splendid in detail, imagery and presentation. Now you gone and made me want to leave to wall to wall concrete of Houston MORE than I wanted to in the first place.  
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
6 posted 2000-09-23 11:29 AM


Mike, I remember this one well. Loved it then as I do now. I've never been to Kansas but you describe it with love so it must be a great place!  
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
7 posted 2000-09-23 11:35 AM


I was always fascinated with the Conquistadors especially Perez (i think, my history is a bit rusty) and how they conquered and tricked the Aztecs.  

"In setting sun I see the gold,
Coronado failed to find,
Golden cities, fields of wheat,
The Spaniards, they were blind."

a wonderfully penned poem, especially loved the last part.

"an afixiation a fix on anything the line of life the limb of a tree
the hands of he and the promise that s/he is blessed among women".
Patti Smith

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

8 posted 2000-09-23 07:26 PM


They sure were blind! They failed to see the 'real' gold! Great poem!

Denise

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