beyond present fierce wind bites
cotton sways the grassy grain.
swelled in shiny folds, thick
fibrous crops bend towards the earth.
relieved only by a rusted line track
rug tattered in white tipped frays-
woven tiers of red clay flats
fertilized the imagined in gentle sways.
far off the land rises sharply
to Quartz Mountain. no more than a hill,
capped in buttons of mesquite and oak.
granite encased, it hides a small lake
submerged at the bottom lies a town.
revealed only when the tide is low-
ghostly sight rises, from once flooding rain
mossy tipped roofs of lost Frazier do show.
liquid wash of long gone dreams
under stretches of sunset's linden rose.
lavender meshes in violet storm peak
seeking basin to fill with tragedy
to higher ground, they found out west
buckling, creaking crushed to graying-
bring only what you need, says he...
the edges of her mother's picture fraying.
with mullein effort, and nettled will
spurred from ladigo signal shouts,
horsetail whips in cocklebur trail
whistling urgent calls from seat.
rugged steep climb to higher ground.
beyond dandelion's beckoning ebb of springs-
wagon trails rut so deep in mud
crossing Ol' Greer, with hope that it brings.
Author notes
L'Arora form created by Laura Lamarca
http://allpoetry.com/column/show/2348667
A brief history of Altus, OK; USA
Based on a true story of this town's founding. From 1886 to 1891 the town was called "Frazier, TX" in Ol' Greer County. In 1891, the town flooded, forcing residents to move to "higher ground" or 'altus' in Latin. Altus now sits 2 1/2 miles west of the original location, the bottom of Lake Luger at Quartz Mountain. When the Red River changed course, the border of Texas moved south, to where the river now sits at it's current course, and the town was amalgamated with the State of Oklahoma, and the county was renamed Jackson County.
http://countyext.okstate.edu/jackson/JC%20Ec%20Dev.%20Site/comindex/altus.html
In a list
A contest entry
- Pre-Writes Galore/no gold yet by piccola.
400 points, ended January 19, 100 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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What an awesome write here
TRhis is exce;;ent indeed and very well written .I so love true stories such as these and you have brought it to life Bravo honey -
Most interesting piece here
I love reading about history of town in Texas they embrace me with the knowledge that no matter what comes our way we rise above it and continue on
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Nice write. Thank you for the author notes. I was already aware of most of it but was happy to see it explained anyway. Thank you for entering the contest
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Good
The description was excellent. I like the abandoned feeling of the town as I like quiet places with history. I can really imagine being there. -
I feel as if i am standing right there. Your desciptions were wonderful and the imagery was really vivid.
Particularly enjoyed the lines:
"woven tiers of red clay flats
fertilized the imagined in gentle sways."
Very delicate and peaceful poem that felt totally natural. Loved it.
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Howdy from up north from you in Kansas. Wonderful trails end story poem you've woven here. Put me in the saddle riding along sidekick to you.Now I know those cockleburs get bigger the futher south I travel. Ha! And it's nice to hear someone appreciate their neck of the woods seeing it as Atlantis too.I enjoyed reading this.
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This consists of some vivid images.
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wow a brilliant poem I love your imagery its outsanding thank you for sharing take care
maralisa
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Yay...well done!
Love ya sis
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Thank you
From you that means so much, sweetie
Love you
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