Wild West Wind

We were traveling roads out west

'cross the plains of the great divide

We'd been up into Canada

a country that’s both tall and wide

We drove across the Queens Highway

over the mountains one by one

To the North West Territories

in the land of the midnight sun

 

Where we came upon a mountain

that was cleaved in half at the top

At the bottom lay the result

for there the road came to a stop.

Where once had been a little town

now lay the boulders far and wide

An earthquake had torn it in half

and ripped off an entire side

 

At the base of the mountain lay

a plaque inscribed with all the names

Of those who had perished there

all the families who'd lost their claims

Each of them were drawn by riches

to the gold fields of the North West

There strong of heart, sought a new start

and were willing to brave the test

 

An old woman in the diner

where we stopped to marvel the scene

Set there telling us the story

as she managed to cook and clean

"Only one soul had made it out

and lived through that horrible day"

"You know" she said, “they went to bed

that same night that they passed away"

"The night before had seen a storm

that blew a gale across the bridge

They'd built with pride, to the far side

that led to the top of the ridge

There they had drilled and dug and fought

to reach the gold and silver vein

like the miners, Forty Niners

and their kin of the Spanish Maine"

 

"A child’s cry was the only sound

that could be heard that fateful morn"

But after that I'm sure she wished

that perhaps she'd never been born

The old woman’s face lined with pain

told how she'd lived through cold and fright

Recanted as if yesterday

for the folks she had lost that night 

  

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Author's Note

Around 1990 I was out in western Canada in the mountains near the north west territories when I came upon this missing town. Sometime between 1907 and 1910 a small town was lost to a earthquake. There I came face to face with history. This is an attempt to do justice to those whose warm hearts are buried there in the cold cold ground.

Reviews

[mags]

What a wonderful story, so well told with a poignant message. Great write. Mags

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks mags

[Keith]

You poem preserves her memory. Well told, what a privilege to meet her and hear it first hand

[Tate Morgan]

keith hi I wish you coulda met this woman you woulda liked her

[Keith]

For sure, I never really travel as a tourist, I seek out the intersting characters. The more prickly the better, often not tolerant of strangers, they can be hard work, but well worth it.

[bluessadmood]

ohh how i loved your story my friend,and who could tell it any better..what lovely poetry my friend,how honest and tender these words,like always..
lovely write

[Tate Morgan]

Blue so nice to see you back I am sure you will find yourself Oh so welcome upon your return.

[Angi]

Tate, this piece is rich with history, it flowed very well and I could see the destruction. Very well done, I enjoyed the revealing of the waitress at the end. Angi~

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Angi history it is and surely was. I find these treasures time to time in my travels.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story and place. I love history. Allow us to fall into the past and to learn. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Tate Morgan]

Hi friend So nice of you to stop by thank you

[Eddie Phillips]

This is an awe inspiring poem Tate. It is moving and sad. I pulls at the heart. You have that gift in your writing. Thanks for sharing this heartfelt poem.

[Tate Morgan]

Thanks Eddie

[Epipsychologist]

This is an awesome one Tate. "Each of them were drawn by riches/to the gold fields of the North West/ There strong of heart, sought a new start/and were willing to brave the test." Is it gold that draws men to valleys and hells?

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you very much. It is what drew these men and many like them to this day . hence the hit show on television now Gold Rush

[N!LoC]

i wanted to ask if this was a true story... and then i saw your authors note... wow...

[Tate Morgan]

Yes sir this one was really a true life tragedy .Thank you

[Devanshu Rajput]

This poem, in my mind would definitely stay in isolation. You beautifully told how you confronted the history of moans, which left behind the pathetic ruins. After a horrible hazard, the tears and groans are the only way to compassionate the consequences.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Dev It was a tragedy But unlike so much we see in the movies this was a real one

[Leslie Philibert]

Tate writes excellent narrative poetry, and is deservedly known as a writer of quality.

[Tate Morgan]

Leslie I am humbled and honored