Waterton Lakes National Park - photo credit - Rory Duce
I was born to these rugged mountains
A glacial heaven on earth
With ancient yearnings for highland trails
I’ve carried with me since birth
Suckled at the breast of the Rockies
Swaddled in blankets of snow
Fed in the morn as the north winds scorn
The mercury that hits forty below
Cradled by the quaking aspens
To hear the wolves’ lullaby
I fall fast asleep as bighorn sheep
Dance upon ledges so high
Warmed by the Chinooks that blow here
Bathed in the rivers and creeks
Here I arrived and here I’ll survive
Surrounded by snow dusted peaks
I lust for the ruby crown jewel
Of the eagle that takes to wing
To soar divine above the treeline
Like some feathered god or king
I was born to these rugged mountains
And here is where I will lie
When life's finished; my breath diminished
It is here that I will die
Author notes
As with all my poetry, I appreciate constructive feedback so that I can improve as a writer. Please give it to me straight, I'm a big boy, I can take it.
In a list
A contest entry
- My Heart's in the Highlands by Milkweed Gossamer.
450 points, ended September 2, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - A quick one for the best! by Sekhmet Kitty.
1800 points, ended July 6, 36 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 48 of 48
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This reminded me of a song by Levon Helm.....after
The Band......the name escapes me now my brother....
but this is superb....
spectacular picture....
but unnecessary....
it does not do your words justice.
The fifth stanza was one of gold...
as is the piece in it's entirety.
Great work...
never disappointed,
Lowell
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I'll give you my one criticism first, since it's not really a complaint. Your last stanza, although it scans right, just doesn't flow as well as the rest of the poem. That being said, it is a gorgeous poem, and now you definitely have me suffering the airports for that long-needed trip to Scotland! Well, as soon as I have the money, but you get my point. This is beautiful. I feel like I've already been with your descriptions, and the images you paint so clearly.
Thank you so much for entering this, I enjoyed it very much! Best of luck!
~ Kit -
amazing!!
well done..loved it!a wonderful piece..wish you best of luck!
juliet -
Superb
Ah, methinks it is fine just as it is. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. I have similiar feelings about the Pacific Northwest. Thanks for sharing. -
I have to wonder if you know just how on-target your choice of image is, regarding an inspiration by "My heart's in the Highlands."
This view is one of my favorite memories of Scotland...
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glenfinnan/glenfinnan/
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Wow, this is a great piece...I see why there were so many comments...Great tempo and beautifully written!!!
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Am catching up with some important reading now.
Good title following introduction sets up my frame of mind.You can feel the passion you hold in every stanza it shines through with a warmth like a sunbathed kiss. The words so lyrical just call for reading aloud listening to the sounds as they come back to me. Yep you can take because my friend you sure can make it. I stand in applause
Thank you for the pleasure.
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Beautiful
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Great
"Who publishes the sheet-music of the winds or the music of water written in river-lines?" - John Muir
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I would be more than delighted to give constructive criticism, if there were something to criticize... This poem is wonderful. I just moved to the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas,and I can fully appreciate your feelings about life in the mountains. Great write. I do so enjoy your work!
. Rewarded 6
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What!? Where the heck did this come from? My home page always tells me when you have something new and here I am stumbling into this 16 days later! I am going to the AP officials immediatly after this!
I love escaping into your poetry...your stunning imagery brings me to the setting everytime. Absolutly beautiful.....
Jamie
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WONDERFUL
I have seen many breathtaking pictures of the rockies, to me it is a dream world, but come alive in this little poem which oozes with sincere love of nature. I wish I could be there. You have a rare gift - a power to paint pictures in words and they are so true to life. And you live in a paradise, must thank you for sharing with us a part of the bliss you enjoy.
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This is absolutely beautiful as it stands...Can't find a thing to criticize! I am there..feeling the awesome things you describe. Well done, poet!
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You must have a lot of friends to get all these clappies! You did a fabulous job and I just wanted to stop by and let you know. You rythm and rhyme were incredible and this was an all around incredible poem. Keep it up! Thanks for sharing
--Tim
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Mountain beauty to feed the heart...and the Rockies have a majesty no other mountain range can match in the Northwest Americas. I live in a small town nestled in the coastal range of Oregon, and the beauty of the mountains and lakes always strike a sense of awe and spirit. I enjoyed the imagery and sense of freedom in your poem very much.
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needs work
I think some of the visual descriptions were just a bit over the top. "suckled at the breast of the Rockies" to me, is not a vision of beauty, unless, of course, you happen to be like Paul Bunyan. Too many fantasy images, confusing me, the reader. -
I live in oregon, i was born here. I always say i will die here. This poem is exactly how i feel about my home. I travel all over the place but this will always be home Excellent poem
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Just Lovely!
I read this title on my personal page and just knew that this would be a gem to read. As always you have taken me away to my beloved Rockie Mountains and I appreciate the opportunity to read your beautiful writings. Well done, my friend.
Carolyn
. Rewarded 6
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DreamScapes and Landscapes
Reminds me of my own life here in the Rockies.
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Definetly beautiful
This is definetly beautiful and it certainly does seem to belong in this Beautiful words by Beautiful people. There is nothing to dislike about this timely poem.
. Rewarded 4
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Your style is your own and it rings solid and true.
This one is a winner too.
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I love it!
I moved to WA state 12 years ago, and have fallen in love with the mountains and forests. I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world! I like this poem a lot; it reflects how I feel... Good job! Keep on penning!
. Rewarded 4
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I lived at the foot of the rockies for many years...this is beautiful...
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Really a great write.
I really liked it. Great visual.
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your passion for the wild places is enthralling. Your choice of phrase and image is impeccable. Having lived for many years in a mountain community, I can relate to this on a deeply personal level. Unfortunately, fate has carried me away from my childhood home, and I sometimes miss the encompassing isolation of the high places, the lonely beauty of a glacier ridge, and the cry of the eagle as it drifts by overhead.
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How wonderful to feel so as one with your home and surroundings. I often wonder what it must be to have such feelings for a place. You describe that feeling so eloquently that I think I understand.
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Rory -
I know what you mean...I can relate to this poem soooo much.. this is excellent, your imagery is beautiful, your rhyme & flow, as always - perfect.
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ahhhhh! Now I can breathe again
Reading you is good for my soul. Love, Lane
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Lovely poetry that took me to the farm at the foot of the Swartberg mountains in South Africa where I grew up. And you even made me remember the first line from our school's song "where lofty mountains raise their peaks to a sky of azure blue..."!
Although I rarely write rhyme I do apprecite good rhyme - like in this poem. I was wondering about the word "lust" - perhaps "long" would fall softer on the ears and blend it better with the tranquil atmosphere you've created here.
So enjoyed this poetic trip to the mountains. Well done.
~ Nicolette
. Rewarded 8
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From the heart Rory as are all your writes. This is no exception, for your love of the wilderness and all it's glories shine through so strongly here. With envy I say superb!...mal
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Rory, this another classic bit of lore from you regarding your laoyalty to your homeland. In a day and an age where people forfiet geography on a whim to go to greener grass you have spoken something very clear and definitive about 'homeland'. There is nothing to critique or change unless you choose to do so. You caught all the living and all the dying any one of us could hope for. Just keep building the collection of your soul and all that your heritage means to you. RC
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Superb
Most excellent. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. I grew up in Utah and fell in love with the high Uintas. Again, a fine write.
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A poem that is nothing but pur joy. Your writting does inspire. Excellent imagery, you are definetly a great writter.
. Rewarded 4
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Beautiful
I work in the mountains and it's an awesome thing to just listen to the wildlife.
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I don't know how to change it. Beautifully done
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oh wow this is wonderful
The language, the tempo, the imagery, the journey through life through the course of the poem, "I was born to these rugged mountains... It is here that I will die"
There is nothing in this that I don't like. Such a lovely piece of work. Your passion shows through so clearly in your words, I almost feel as if I'm there with you.
Thank you for sharing this with us all. -
Rory, your sense and love of place is amply matched by your poetic talent in this beautiful evocation of the mountains. An excellent poem.
Bill
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If you are not offended by John Denver, he would have loved to live long enough to sing your words. I imagine that this is one of the greatest tributes to homeland that exists in poetry...
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Nicely done. You have painted a beautiful picture of where you live. Great job. Nice rhyming and word choice.
. Rewarded 4
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Most excellent write here
Oh how it must be like heaven on earth to live amongst the mountains . Great work indeed
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woops. forgot to give applause!
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that is some of the most beautiful poetry iv read. you create such vivide imagery with only a few words, "i lust for the ruby crowned jewel" "swaddled in blankets of snow," not only do theses mountains soar up in my mind, but i can almost feel your sentimentality and love for your home. the beginning & ending stanzas tie in nicely, with the same first phrase and the birth & death idea. i find myself thinking back to winters & summers i spent in maine/quebec & how much i long for the snow covered trails and hills, even though i was not born there, i feel it is my home. im sorry i cant be constructive, i like this poem too much to find fault
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constructive feedback huh? okay umm....... nope cant think of anything. amazing job though!!!! im glad that you could create so many pictures with your words. thats one thing that makes a great writer in general. poet especially. beautiful!
--tracie
. Rewarded 6
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I am sending you these flowers to decorate your home in such a splendid place. I LOVE your poem and am pretending I came to visit you for reals.
It is as far as I can get on the tank of gas I can't afford. 
How do you heat your house? I would wear four layers of clothes and carry a hot water bottle around. LOVE YOUR POEM!
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Spectacular!
What a heartwarming tribute to ones
homeland. I applaud your pride and love
of your place of birth. The images were
so clear and effervescent. All my senses
were exhilerated by your words of love
and passion. Great job!
. Rewarded 4
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What a lovely place to live - the Rockies. Love visiting Jasper and Banff and taking the highway to the coast that travels through the mountains. Ahh, that fresh air and lovely scenery, animals and sense of freedom and wonder one gets when here. Lovely verses, good rhythm, rhyme and flow.
. Rewarded 6
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applaud thie good piece
Sounds like the Colorado Rockies. nice place and I loved it when I was there, very good piece. loved it
. Rewarded 4
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"I was born to these rugged mountains
And here is where I will lie
When finished and breath diminished
It is here that I will die"
Ok, constructive feedback. Hmmm. Ummm...nope. None that I can think of. Except one. Keep pickin' up that pen of yours, Cowboy. We need your voice, whispering on the northern wind. Beautiful, my Friend. Wanda
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