The Cascades

Mount Baker seen from my window,
is framed in his garment of snow,
towering over his neighbors and
admired from the valley below.
His beauty can't be disputed,
the poets and artists concur.
His jealous sister is angry.
He's taking attention from her.

So proud of the fact she is taller
than all of her brothers save one,
resenting Rainier for his stature,
he's too near her loved god, the sun.
Mount Hood, Mount Adams and others
who make up the great Cascades Range,
have at one time or other ignored her.
She vows this contempt will soon change.

St. Helens could hold it no longer, 
her deep seated, smoldering rage.
She vents it early one morning,
the anger she's held for an age.
The havoc she's wrought is tremendous.
She feels no regret and no shame.
She's striking a blow for sisterhood.
The world will remember her name.

She forfeits some of her beauty,
which passing of time will reclaim.
The others now bow to her fury.
She basks in her ill gotten fame.
Her brothers are slumbering giants.
Their power is yet to be seen.
They're  holding their strength in abeyance,
giving Helens her reign as the queen.

We love them, unheeding the danger.
We daringly dwell at their feet,
knowing full well we're under the spell
of idols with dues swift and steep.
St. Helens has sounded a warning,
with some of us paying a price.
We stay, though aware of the perils,
encased in that beautiful ice.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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12
A  Avatar
April 11, 2014 at 10:39 PM
THIS IS ONE AMAZING WIN JOYCE......SKAT
A   Avatar
April 11, 2014 at 9:36 PM
Hi Joyce, , Congratulations, In Charlotte's MIX, contest.... always~ Linda
Dietrich Avatar
April 11, 2014 at 7:43 PM
I remember this gem, Joyce, you are on a ROLL, lady!! Congrats.
Puddifoot Avatar
April 11, 2014 at 3:56 PM
marvellous personification here, joyce; I'm not always a fan of rhyming verse, but when it's written like this it impresses me - nice to see a different name on my winning list, and congrats to you! :)
Kendrick Avatar
October 19, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Congratulations on your win in the contest..Sara
Augustus Avatar
October 15, 2010 at 2:25 PM
I like hoe you infused human qualities into these mountain ranges. That's quite clever. Congratulations on your win!
Roberts Avatar
October 9, 2010 at 2:23 PM
beautiful , congrats on your win in the contest
Fraser Avatar
October 9, 2010 at 7:10 AM
Many congratulations Joyce on your win in Constance's contest 'Why oh Why' have a lovely weekend >> James
Brown Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations on your win Joyce. Love,Carol
Neels Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Beautiful personification Joyce and congratulations on your win. Love Wilma ;)
Mehta Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 5:29 AM
Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest, Joyce
La France Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 4:07 AM
Congratulatons, Joyce, with your placement in my contest, Why Oh Why ~~
Sweetheart Avatar
October 7, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Congrats Joyce on your win in Constance's contest with this extra special entry.. enjoy another victorious moment this happy weekend my friend..with luv..
Haick Avatar
October 7, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Congratulations on your win in the contest, Joyce...very lovely...Love, Audrey
Dietrich Avatar
October 7, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Joyce, very interesting personification of your lovely WA mountains. I have the video about that eruption of Mt. St. Helens and the havoc she wreaked. And how amazingly everything grew back again as nature sees fit! So when did you enter this in a contest at Soup? Congrats to you. LUv, Andrea
Heck Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Dear Joyce - Congratulations on your WIN in Nigel & Christie's contest! Peace always, John
Thomas Avatar
December 20, 2008 at 8:25 AM
Wonderful personification in this poem! Congratulations on your win in the contest! ~Juliane
George   Avatar
December 19, 2008 at 5:38 AM
You have given human qualities to these beautiful majestic mountains. Well done!!! congratulations on your well deserved win, dear Joyce. Lainie George
Winter Avatar
December 19, 2008 at 5:06 AM
So beautiful Joyce! Warmest congrats on your win in Nigel and Christie's contest! Love, Shar
Reynolds Avatar
December 19, 2008 at 3:53 AM
I just LOVE the cascades, i miss it so, but you have brought it here for all of us to witness...I can he the shining tips now. amazing, congrats! A well deserved win, love, Kristin
Strand Avatar
December 18, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Congrats on your success in Christie's contest.Joyce.Rgds Brian
Jordan Avatar
December 18, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Joyce your poetry is amazing - Congratulations on placing in the contest - Merry Christmas & God Bless, MJ
Richards Avatar
December 18, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Beautifully written Joyce! So well deserved to be among the winning poems. We too look upon the Cascade's range of mountains, the southen part, and they are truly lovely! Congratulations on your win! ~ Carrie
Degenhardt Avatar
November 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM
I must say that your writing is absolutely wonderful! The flow of this is tremendous, rather so very smooth, flawless in rhyme. The imagery you create for us readers allows us to stand at the feet of these beauties, spying them and taking in the beauty. An amazing write! Michael
Winter Avatar
November 17, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Simply breathtaking! What a gorgeous place you must live in. Constant inspiration. No wonder you wrote such an amazing poem. Not to mention something called talent. : ) A total joy to read. Exceptional imagery. Love, Shar
12
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