The Valley

In that time of "ice and winter" wind and snow were all that came. Glaciers ruled their own dominion, cov'ring all within their range. Came a time of subtle warming shifting ice gouged out a path. Water followed in its footsteps changing landscapes as it passed. ….. In a valley where two rivers wind their way through hills of sage dark skinned man first set a campfire, shedding light on his'try's page. There he fished in times of plenty, trapped and hunted through his days. Spirit visions lent him counsel, helped him live by nature's ways Down the river came a stranger with pale eyes and lightened hair to make a stop at rivers' joining, basking in the plenty there. Soon the valley's bright with campfires, set by men of greed and pride, seeking coin to fill their coffers in the form of fur and hide. Winds of change had blown in with them, stripping all the old ways bare. Water brought them and then took them with the coin they'd garnered there. At a sandy river's bending yellow sparkles foretold gold. And the valley fills with miners clamoring for the mother lode. Panning in those winding rivers, digging into hills of sand - Yet another valley resource disappears in human hands. Next the valley rings with axes, held by men of different stripe wanting freedom from their nobles, seeking out a better life. And the valley changes contour as their plows bite into earth. Man now plants and raises creatures to feed family round his hearth. In that time of tree lined rivers there was room for one and all. As more came in need of shelter all those trees began to fall. If one wants to view that valley as it was at man's first sight roads and rail lines, mills and ranches all must fade into the night. In this hub of modern transport little's left from that old age…. just a valley where two rivers wind their way through hills of sageMaybe the title should be "My Valley" This is reasonably historically correct. Written December 7th, 2001 © on Dec 07 2001 03:50 AM PST, Pat Grantt   0 • 10