Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

In the Shadow of the Mountains

 

 

Fog-shrouded peaks surrounded

the people of the cove

like prison guards and iron bars.

Their reach stretched on indefinitely

and the valley suffocated,

contracted and constricted every day.

 

The long shadows

those ancient sentries casted

swallowed any spirited hopes

of stealing an escape,

so they lived and died

in the shadow of the mountains.

 

 

Author notes

Photo: "Golden Fields I" by Alice J. Baldwin, taken in Cades Cove, TN.

Inspired by my visits to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, especially Cades Cove, TN and Cherokee, NC - two places that despite immense natural beauty, seemed rather desolate and bleak to live in.

Note that Cades Cove, TN is no longer inhabited and is a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, since the latter half of the 20th century. The last inhabitants died or left not long after World War II.

Cherokee, NC is a government-designated reservation for the Cherokee Indian tribe. It is, unfortunately, a very depressed place - economically and in every way human. The main attraction is a Harrah's Casino. Surrounding it are cheap motels and trinket stores selling "Native American" jewelry and headresses that are obvious fakes.

I would prefer that it contained the rich history of the Native American people, not fake dances in fake headdresses in front of tipis (the Cherokee did not even live in tipis - they lived in permanent structures made of mud).

Okay, I'm going to get off my soapbox now.

Please tell me what you really think. Criticism welcomed.

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 16 of 16
  • Mercury Rising
    January 27
    ?
    Edit | Reply
    A great poem with an apparent underlying metaphorial significance. A real pleasure to read and ponder.


  • Deaths Prayer
    January 25

    Edit | Reply
    Shadows and mountains make for such beautiful scenery. very nice poem it had a earthly feel to but it was a enjoyable read.good write

    Nice lines here..

    The long shadows
    those ancient sentries casted
    swallowed any spirited hopes
    of stealing an escape,
    so they lived and died
    in the shadow of the mountains.

  • Poetic-Theorem silver member
    November 18, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    I have visited the Great Smoky Mountains...I love native American Culture...I'm like you, I'd rather not see Commercialism destroy the great culture and beauty...the area has also become a "Theme Park" like land...it's sad because there is so much pure beauty all around...Mother Nature's gift to us
    You captured this beauty very well in your lovely write
    take care...much love my friend...♥♥ David ♥♥


  • Catie Sheeran gold member
    November 17, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    great write. beautifully done

  • vivuyo
    November 16, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    living in the mountain is vey harsh thing.

    thanks for amplifying this matter through your poem.


  • HereComesTheSun
    November 14, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    amazing as always


  • Pure Thought
    November 13, 2009
    Edit | Reply
    what beautiful saddness.


  • Pure Thought
    November 13, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    I like you on your soap box. Oh, the poem is really good too.
    Well done.

    Buddy


  • Manda Kathryn Greeters member
    November 13, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    I had a flash of 'Flicka' with this;
    I could have sworn I saw Mustangs
    running free and wild through your
    ink Gorgeous


  • Amera gold member
    November 13, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    Oh my! This is stunning; you took my mind with you to the mountain. This is beautiful especially for me who lives where there are no mountains.

    Love,
    Amera♥


  • awannabepoet
    November 13, 2009

    Edit | Reply
    Wow, what an amazing poem. See this is what I would aspire to when I dream of writing right and proper poetry.

    Most excellent poem with quite the A.N. to solidify the entire experience of the reader.

    Thank you so much for sharing your great talent.

1 - 16 of 16