Notes About The Poem

Firefall

A winding road, up through the trees, finds California gold
The heart will race, and breath escapes, to see this land unfold!

Dad cherished, this, his boyhood home, a wonderland to view
and shared with us the years he grew, into a the man we knew
A home he loved so long ago, but never quite outgrew

Our family albums back at home, held pictures of lost years
When Gramps had been a mountain guide, my heritage is here

When summer came and school was done,..our family couldn't wait
To camp, explore, and marvel ore', this jewel at Heaven's gate
No picture, song, or poetry, prepares astonished eyes
The valley called Yosemite, invites a heart's delight 

Hidden in the canyons of Sierra's mountain glade
Immortal is a valley, which was carved by glacier's blade
Winter melts to spring, again to quench the giant trees
Dogwoods lace the forest floor, azaleas scent the breeze
Redwoods dig their roots between the stones that reach the sky
Earth and sky meet hand in hand, where eagles nest and fly

The Bridal falls, the granite faces, we stuttered to describe
The meadows green, the mirrored lakes, Ahwahnee lodge resides..
The Mercy River cools the brow, in awe of what surrounds
Embrace the peace as evening falls, that mummers nature's sounds

El Capitan, and Half Dome seem to reach the stars so high
Reflect upon old stories told of fire in the sky
A fire built upon the cliffs, then sounds of ancient cries
A call from down below would rise,... would echo from above
And rocks would pour a flaming veil, and spill a song of love
The call of love, from tribes that roamed, a hundred years ago

Days long ago, my childhood eyes, were dazzled under stars
We'd sit around the campfire light, he'd sing and play guitar
We looked upon the granite face of Half Dome, overhead
And watch the burning embers fall, and hear a song so sad
A native call still fills the dark, within the heart of me
A place where soft light still cascades, and Daddy sang to me



................................................................................................................................
A look at Yosemite:      
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5RQp77uVPA
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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A  Avatar
October 1, 2013 at 8:37 PM
A deep winning poem Carrie....SKAT
Jones Avatar
October 1, 2013 at 6:28 PM
Really really emotional poem and well deserving win Carrie....congratulations..
Puddifoot Avatar
October 1, 2013 at 4:34 PM
this is another excellent piece from you, carrie, very evocative and nostalgic, really takes the reader there; congrats on your win :)
Dietrich Avatar
October 1, 2013 at 12:17 AM
I see you used an older poem too. And it's a beauty that I admired before. Love its nostalgia. Congrats, Carrie.
Gorelick Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 8:32 PM
Carrie, this brought tears to my eyes. Such a beauty..congrats. BG
Gorelick Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Carrie, this brought tears to my eyes. Such a beauty..congrats. BG
Adams Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 6:25 PM
this poem is filled with such descriptive images...enjoyed the read...congrats on your win :)
Hunter Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 1:04 PM
Carrie, thank you for this enchanting entry. I loved every line of it, and had to really study hard to decide between it and Andrea's poem. It's an amazing piece!
A   Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Congrats Carrie, nice in the woods win...Linda
Andresen Avatar
September 30, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Contest Winners: In the Woods. Sponsored by: Caleb Smith. - Congratulations on your wonderful poem in this contest, Carrie - Pleased to read your poem, well written! - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
Brown Avatar
December 28, 2011 at 5:10 AM
Congratulations Carrie. Love, Carol
Merryman Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 8:03 PM
A wonderful poem, Carrie. I've been to Yosemite once or twice many, many years ago. It's an awesomely beautiful place. Congrats on your win! Kim
Dietrich Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Great story of your family life and how this place affected you, Carrie. I got your pictures today. What a great family you have. Congratulations on your well deserved win.
Johnson Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 5:22 PM
A beautiful poem. What a lovely place it must be. Congratulations Carrie. Love, Joyce
Song Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 4:47 PM
Would love to visit this place some day..congrats on this awesome write..I can picture a special campfire with your dad singing...Congrats, Carrie.
Guzzi Avatar
December 27, 2011 at 3:23 PM
You know I thought Bob Hinshaw wrote this man was I trying to find the verse to tell you! LOL [give me my dern periods!!! if you are going to do [, and ! and ...] oh how it killed me for you not to have periods LOL Congrad's my dear Carrie a majestic write! Light & Love
Brown Avatar
May 21, 2010 at 5:43 AM
Congratulations Carrie on your win in the contest "Viva Vacation" sponsored by Linda-Marie. Love, Carol
Flach Avatar
May 6, 2010 at 8:42 PM
Carrie, there was no doubt in my mind this poem was going to fare well in the contest. I love the story. I love the structure. And I love the descriptions. Congrats - not just on the ranking, but on your overall talents as a poet. I love your work. Joe
Sweetheart Avatar
May 6, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Congrats Carrie on your 4th place win in my Viva Vacation contest.. an amazing write ..appreciate your support.. luv.. Linda-Marie
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Carrie, I really love it. It is so descriptive. Some great poems coming out of this vacation contest!! Yes,I've heard of Roy, UT. Do you have Mormon relatives from here? I think I have only passed thru the ntl. parks in so. Utah, but I've seen lots of postcards of the sites. haha. LUv, andrea
Flach Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Wow - an absolutely wonderful poem and lovely story. Not only do you do a great job describing a beautiful land but you do it within a heartfelt story of your kinship with your father. Simply lovely. Good luck in the contest.
Devonshire Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Yosemite is always a joy to visit and I feel like I just had a mini-trip there in your words. Half Dome is quite a site, isn't it, Carrie? A guide told us a glacier cut the dome during the last Ice Age. What fun trips our family took out west and it sounds like your Dad was much like mine. Enjoyed! Love, Carolyn
Johnson Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Wonderful tale of a lovely vacation memory. You are a true poet. thanks for your comments on my Three Wishes. Love, Joyce
Kendrick Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Great descriptive write that is informative of the area in which you grew up...Makes me want to go there....Keep the creative pen flowing..Sara
A   Avatar
April 25, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Good luck in the contest, have your self a great one,..p.d.
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