Touring Cades Cove

TOURING CADES COVE

A rainy October day in Tennessee,
the Smokey’s higher peaks are shrouded
in low clouds. My wife’s brown eyes scan
the brochure for historic spots along
an eleven mile, one way loop around
the u-shaped valley between the mountain
ridges where no one now farms the land.  

The narrow road around the cove is jammed
with creeping autos---in places almost bumper
to bumper like mid-town Manhattan traffic.
We curve slowing between tall trees and old
pastures like a snake making its way among
rocks and tall grass; cameras and field glasses
dart out of open windows like serpent tongues
at what I make out to be phantom wildlife.

My wife reads aloud the story of the early
19th century Primitive Baptist church,
now a tourist stop instead of a house
of Christian worship---along with its
graveyard lying behind with its engraved
stones roped off from the visitor’s touch.
I think it strange that the dead and those
living are separated by a concern for
grass and stone---as if people would drive
a twisty 18 miles through the Appalachian
forest to vandalize gravestones and turf:
a whole new twist on American tourism.

A few relics of old houses and log cabins
remain along the curvy loop---where early
mountain settlers sheltered during the dark
rainy nights and long winter storms. No one’s
home now---except for, perhaps, a few ghosts.
I imagine them standing in their doorways
wondering what the fuss is all about.

Farther on, the sun breaks through the clouds,
lighting up a lone tree in a field, its dark semi-
naked branches casting off brilliant yellow-
green clusters that glow momentarily like
Fourth of July fireworks. With a click of a
camera, the sky broods again and the leaves
fade in the dark sky beyond. Yet, in the next
shot, the tree seems to resist the interruption,
pushing out extra color with a strength that
comes from its taproot. It will not be
outdone by the fickleness of rain clouds
being shoved about in an autumn wind.

The old fields have taken on a burnt-orange
hue---still mowed for aesthetic purposes,
giving the visitor the illusion of land still
used for farming. But where are the cows
grazing the pastures---now taken over by
black bear, deer and wild turkey? A car
horn may honk with impatience, but where
is the sound of a bell leading the herd home?

As we begin to leave the loop, a dead, leafless
tree stands aside the lane, its branches
reaching into an increasingly blue sky
as if gnashing its teeth and wondering:
why me?! It is a mute reminder that history
keeps moving forward---despite the efforts
of the National Park Service to keep it still.

Author's Note

My wife and I recently took a get-away to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. This piece represents part of that trip. I would appreciate comments on its flow and readability, as it's a new piece.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This does not resemble ANYTHING I've read about or seen myself about this area! Your amazing way of seeing the world picks up on the most interesting yet unusual details, which is why your travelogues never sound like a typical trips! I especially love how this one weaves together the spirit of the outdoor marvels, along with the annoyance of navigating a tourist attraction. Last time our gov't failed to pay workers, so that parks were unstaffed, yahoos ravaged desert parks by shooting Joshua trees & other landmarks to smithereens, so I do not doubt that people would vandalize graves! Even tho I love everything about your keen observations, sometimes a few things get stuck in my craw (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[wordman]

great story,i have travel the smokies a few tmes,don`t live to far away

[R.E. Ray]

Tom, I've also visited Cade's Cove, and you've splendidly captured its beauty and wonder. I've had similar thoughts. Those who lived there would be curious about our fascination with their simple and yet hard world, working the land to live.

Though I often mock the "city people" who stop and gawk at the deer and turkeys, I am thankful the National Park Service has preserved this place and so many others. It's snapshot many might enjoy, if they look up long enough from their phones and tablets.

Exceptional write that took me to that special place for a few moments.

[kentuck14]

RE,
I too am grateful for these places on our map. And indeed touring these places does get many out of their i-phone bubble . . . at least I hope. Thanks for your kind words.
T

[Eilis]

The flow and readability are on par with your other work posted here. This has the easy, conversational style that I always enjoy about your poetry.

This is my neck of the woods. Well, the south, so I love to read the impression it made on you. There are so many places like this peppered across the countryside and the way you describe it, I find myself nodding my head. I love to visit old homesteads and such, but you’re right, there’s a futility about it. I am happy for the preservation, though.

Your section on ghosts reminded me of a recent trip we took to an old settlement where there was a log chapel with the original stained-glass windows and iron bell, and inside two antique wooden coffins sitting there half open. One was a child’s. My husband and I argued about whether they had been used before. We never could agree. I still feel sure they had been.

Anyway, the relics of civilizations not so far removed from ourselves. You capture it well. And that dreaded traffic. It seems to be infecting everywhere. Can’t go anywhere anymore and not get caught in it.

Really enjoyed the style and content of this. An excellent exploration.

[kentuck14]

E,
We have enjoyed our time living in the south. The North East is fast becoming a hard place to live . . . especially NY with it's progressive politics driving out people and jobs. The southern generosity of spirit is far more attractive than Yankee prickliness .

History has always fascinated me. The people and what came before have always occupied a spot in my thinking. I wrote a very long poem about the history of my parents' families mainly using old photos and things drawn from elsewhere. Most enjoyable imagining their lives and concerns.
Thanks for reading and your sharing. All the best to you and yours.
T

[Dave Brown]

this reads very well
It is the sort of thing my wife and I do especially to enjoy the autumn colors
You observe one thing I am always a bit concerned about which is the ever increasing amount of traffic
Perhaps all those other drivers feel the same way
Good feel to it all

[kentuck14]

The trafic is expected here due to its beauty and historical significance. Dave, thanks for stopping by.
T

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wow the sights and sounds and all the imagery is awesome to get lost into and you made us join the trip and transported us superbly into your touring. An illusion of farming, wow a farm museum eh? Very interesting your poem indeed. Kudos for your description powers.

Nice to read from you again....plz pleez do review/ comment/ write your thoughts under my newest poem.

[kentuck14]

Not so much as a farm museum as a scenic tour through an old mountain valley long abandoned and now a part of the National Parks. Thanks for reading and commenting. Will get to your poem soon.
T

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a very good flow...and a read that really engrossed me...made me think of Vermont and some of the old pastures from the 50's that i used to explore...and visit the cows...now just fields...still the beauty of the foliage is still there in autumn....i have also visited the Smokey Mountains...and they are beautiful any time of the year....but you really take us on a journey that exhibits shades of the past but the reality of the present and what no longer exists...that lonely Black Bear roaming the mountainside...and those sad ghosts wondering what happened to their land...to their farms...to their way of life.
j.

[kentuck14]

J,
Thanks for your judgment and your comments on this poem . . . it came after a long dry spell.
T