A Tree Of Eternal Love!

Long ago o'er a century past
there stood a Mighty Oak tree
resting between to beautiful valleys
on land occupied by the Cherokee.
The Cherokee had considered themselves
to be a great superior race
but superiority wasn't well endeared
this grievous fault other tribes didn't embrace.

One such tribe was the Chickasaws
constantly at war with the Cherokees
they had moments of relative calm
as violent storms subsides over seas.
Legend began during one such truce
given permission to cross Cherokee land
provided they stay on Unicoi Trail
upon came a modest Chickasaw band.

Allowing rest only at designated areas
at the junction of two lovely valleys
a spot where two trails crossed
underneath an Oak where travelers rallies.
As weary Chickasaw travelers were resting
in the shade of Giant White Oak
around them gathered curious Cherokees
despised Chickasaws they began to provoke.

Thereafter tribes were trading obscenities
to & fro the angry tribes scrapped
Cherokee hoping Chickasaw would over-react
instead were to cagey to be trapped.
From this bickering a Brave stood aloof
a Chickasaw Chief’s young son, Sautee
dreaming of the day he'd be Chief
and negotiate peace with the Cherokee.

Some of his greatness must have shown
to 16-year old daughter of Cherokee
she was so taken by handsome stranger
that Chief’s daughter stared unashamedly.
Squaw was daughter of Chief Wahoo
for it was Nacoochee, the Evening Star
their two souls became as one
standing near but e’re so far.

Infatuation began when their eyes met
Magic alchemy of love did the rest
And not one spoke, a spoken word
Yet a tryst was made at best.
A connection was made between them
as evening sun was setting above
Cherokees headed back to their homes
but Nacoochee was summoned by love.

Fleeing from her father’s log house
for the dark sky concealed Nacoochee
into the stillness of the valley
she met up with her beloved Sautee.
No good could come of this madness
was a flagrant violation of their truce
if Wahoo learned of their meeting
all were doomed, & violence set loose.

But two lovers defied the establishment
was determined to make a stand
for lasting peace between the two nations
both together would make Wahoo understand.
They were helplessly & hopelessly in love
standing underneath sanctity of White Oak Tree
Sautee’s party counsels against his decision
thereafter Sautee told his followers to flee.

Wahoo learned of their secret meeting
and sent Braves on a hunting raid
to hunt and trap his quarry
believing to him his daughter betrayed.
The two young lovers quickly fled
to the nearby Yonah Mountain
in a secret unknown cave, where
their passion flowed like a fountain.

They spent a few idyllic days
a burning desire of enchanting vibes
when destiny painted a bigger picture
lasting peace between their two tribes.
With this larger purpose in life
they faced Wahoo with this deed
with a just and lofty purpose
how could they but not succeed?

Wahoo was a great Cherokee Chief
solving problems with great wisdom
but lacked compassion & understanding
blinded by hatred, he was overcome.
How dare his beloved young daughter
a Cherokee choose this Brave, Sautee
that came from a Chickasaw tribe
a race less superior, their mortal enemy.

Wahoo condemned the Brave to death
while Nacoochee was forced to look on
Sautee was cast down from high cliffs
now for love, all hope was gone.
Wahoo’s anger impaired his judgment
Nacoochee’s heart filled with sorrow
thinking life without her Sautee
held no promise for tomorrow.

The daughter of the Cherokee Chief
tears away from her father’s hands
leaping high from Lookout Mountain
there at cliff’s foot, Nacoochee lands.
Once again the young lovers are reunited
their bodies laid broken and dying
but they didn't surrender just yet
for death they both were defying.

Finding strength in their love
before joining Spirit in the Sky
they drag their broken bodies together
forever in a final embrace, they die.
An understanding came over Wahoo
but his understanding came too late
he was overcome with remorse
now aware that their love was great.

Too late was the lost opportunity
for lasting peace with the Chickasaw
tribes could've been raised with peace
young lovers dreams, he let them fall.
Wahoo had the two eternal lovers
which was still locked together in death
when cast atop of Yonah Mountain
after they taken their final breath.

The bodies were laid to rest
of young Chickasaw and Cherokee
along banks of the Chattahoochee River
there to remain for all eternity.
So this tragedy wouldn't be forgotten
Wahoo renamed the two valleys of regret
one for Sautee & one for Nacoochee
where the two young lovers first met.
A sacred burial mound still stands
at junction of Georgia’s 17 highway
where love blossomed underneath an Oak
and that White Oak still stands today.