Mountains of gold slither down from the Sierras
Twisting and winding all the way to the Pacific coast
In the Big South, where rivers flow right and left, digging
into the rich soil until gravity
dumps the melted waters in the turquoise ocean
Creaming the coast, a coffee swirl blue
Inviting us to plant the seeds of opportunity
with a chance of paradise, escaping
the dust snakes and wind dragons
chasing us West
Settlers wagon-wheel through the sands from Indiana to Oklahoma
To find their Eden here where tales are told of mountains of gold,
Plump purple grapes, and coastal live oaks, with
acorns adorn for the sustenance of the Chumash
We drive through the Kings Valleys
where the Salinan slept
Seeking the seven sisters, but falling short to the north and stumbling upon the hearty vine; the kind that yields California wine at dinnertime
Here we stay at El Norte to cultivate future fine varietals
Stronger than those in Chile or Spain
Continuing south, we wind down through golden grasses
Transforming green where California tarantulas dig deep to avoid
wet rain on their gold glitter backs
Up here the seventh sister stands tall near Morro Rock
with a thick halo of fog wreathing her peaks.
The other six dance south and east
toward the hot inland valleys, where
grassland fires swept the hills, and
cracked open acorns and sprouted new forests
over black tar scared grounds
The Chumash would climb the fourth and fifth sister
and chant for their lost squaws.
Where is the fire woman I seek? I call her to my mountain!
It is time for the days of doves and water
Those fires burn embers in distant lands where the eagles fly high
Come to me in between fires and give me heat for the fog has cooled my feathers
I need my hot lady to warm my bones
If I don't see you on the fifth mountain after four days at sundown
Meet me where the Snake River meets mother ocean waters by the seventh sister, and we will prosper.
About the Creator
Tony Martello
Join an author like no other on various tales that entertain, philosophies that inspire, and lessons that transform us. He is inspired by nature, the ocean, and funny social interactions. He is the author of Flat Spell Tales and much more.
Comments (1)
Whoaaaa, this was absolutely mindblowing! Loved your poem!