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Open Poetry #5
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The Rocky Tomb
| Open Poetry #5 |
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The Rocky Tomb |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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The Rocky Tomb He was of the Revolution of the men at Valley Forge And a mission to the backwoods was to end in soldier's scourge For he led a small detail to the Chester County hills In search of food to alleviate the winter's hunger ills He led his men across a creek in early light of day Ducking through the pine and young foliage of May For there were Redcoats all around in want to steal their goods The little band of soldiers then scattered in the woods They rode their mounts as fast they could up a rocky gorge By the rapids of the French Creek twelve miles from Valley Forge The lieutenant quick took refuge inside a granite cave For his brave young saddle companions of the war he could not save It was near the Falls of French Creek where the waters heavy flow And cascade among the granite rocks a hundred years ago That a boulder fell from up above and closed the soldier in And there he lay encrypted for a hundred years within A century later a mining company the granite to consume Unearthed the secret cave and unveiled the soldier's tomb Beside the young man's skeleton, a bottle was revealed And in it was a letter that the soldier had concealed He told about his mission and the story of his fate The note was dated May twentieth of 1778 He was Lieutenant Carrington, from Richmond he had come And left behind a young girl whose tender heart he'd won Virginia Randolf was her name, and in the letter he confessed In most emdearing phrases the love with which he's blessed This story is a legend passed down from year to year When you visit St. Peters Village by the falls you're sure to hear But few believe this story of the soldier in the tomb Found a hundred years ago within earth's granite womb For there are many legends told within the walls Of houses in St. Peters Village beside the French Creek Falls Many think it's just a myth, but historians have shown In a Richmond cemetary, there's etched upon a stone "Virginia Randolf in 1780 Took her final breath Died of a broken heart Age twenty-one Faithful unto death" Elizabeth Santos [This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 02-04-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Elizabeth, this is fascinating! Truth or fiction it is captivating! (I hope it's a true story!) Denise |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Yes, Denise it is true. St. Peters Village is a quaint little village built a hundred years ago for the granite miners, but today has become an artsy community. At the Inn at St. Peters many people claim to have spotted a ghost, and some believe it's the ghost of the young soldier. Behind the village are the falls, gushing down among the huge boulders where you can jump from rock to rock. I spent many childhood days in this place as did my children, and always heard this story. Thanks Denise, Liz |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Wow...you have wove a fascinating tale through your words  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I loved this Liz, so interesting and well written and a sad love story.--would make a great novel |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Your words make it feel as if you were there, what a talent. |
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Gene Senior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 935Colorado, USA |
Liz, This is a great depiction of the past. I love historical poems. It enjoyed it very much, even if it did have a sad ending. ~Gene |
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Gene Senior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 935Colorado, USA |
Martie, I agree. I can imagine a movie with Keanu Reves as the young Lieutenant and Winona Ryder as Virginia. ~Gene |
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