Notes About The Poem

Mt. St. Helens before the eruption (in Washington State):

The Eruption:

Trees floating on Spirit Lake

Thirty years later:

 

 

When Mount St Helens Blew Her Top

Where forests stretched for miles, and Spirit Lake
lay at its foot, there stood a rebel peak.
One day the earth beneath began to quake.
What havoc Mother Nature was to wreak!

The tremors kept occurring till the day
two craters which had formed began to merge,
erupting ash. Wise folks left right away,
for that volcano soon would surely surge!

Some met their death that eerie Sunday morn
of May eighteenth. The deer began to flee.
Then from the mount, a burst of cloud was born -
a mushroom cloud which bellowed boisterously.

It grumbled and it rumbled, rocketing
for fourteen miles to sky its ice and ash.
Land slid. An avalanche was covering
all things within the path of its mad dash!

By 10:15, a wall of water rushed
down to the river, tearing up the trees
along with boulders as the ash still gushed.
Destruction had been wrought with greatest ease.

The news said Mount St. Helen’s lost her head,
and trees, like matchsticks, lay upon the ground.
Amazingly, despite such loss and dread,
there is new growth of beauty all around!

Written Aug. 13, 2014 for Wordscapes Contest of John Hamilton
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Richards Avatar
August 29, 2016 at 11:33 AM
We had friends who lived near St. Helen's wrath, they were okay, but everything was covered in ash and debris....so scary. We, in fact, live in the foothills beneath Mt. Lassen which did the same thing in the 1800's. .. We can drive up there in about 45 minutes, and there is still so much evidence...one whole side of the mt. is called the devastated region. On Saturday, my daughter and her friends hiked to the peak which is called "Broke Off Mountain".because it's what's left of the original. We also see Mt. Shasta from our front windows :)
Richards Avatar
August 29, 2016 at 11:34 AM
you have written a great description of St. Helen's !!
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 20, 2016 at 5:23 PM
Maybe it is because I lived in the area, but this poem would have been in first place for me Andrea, it is so beautifully written. It was so sad to see this beautiful mountain and all the wonderful trees destroyed by Mother Nature's wrath. Congratulations on your fourth placement. A fave for me! 7 ; )
Bayles Avatar
August 20, 2016 at 3:45 PM
I like this poem and its images. The rhymes are great. Mike
May Avatar
August 18, 2016 at 10:41 AM
Congrats on a fine win Andrea
U.D Palawon  Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 10:53 PM
Love the pic and the imagery...wonderful write you have here...Congrats on your placing. Love Sunita :)
Nusker Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Congratulations on your win, Andrea. It was a delight reading this wonderful poem.
Smith Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 9:56 PM
Terrific descriptive write Andrea. I flew to Seattle from I don't remember where right after that happened. I con't begin to tell you the utter devastation that I could see from the air. Good luck in the contest...
Stebbings Avatar
August 17, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Good narrative piece, Andrea. We have nothing like the power of nature. I remember when we saw it on the news in the U.K. Barry
Krampe Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Great poem! And serendipitous: I happened to see Mount St. Helens today from the distance. :)
La France Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 5:03 PM
Andrea, this is wonderful, years later once would never know, best of luck in the contest ~
Daniel Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 4:00 AM
A lovely descriptive wordscape:) The volcanic ash is highly fertile, that's why the "new growth of beauty"..
Marie Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 2:21 AM
Excellent detail, superbly written. I remember this clearly, the ash "dark particle filled clouds" crossing the border, the name "Spirit Lake" seemed "other worldly" to me, the photos surreal. The human toll devastating. I love the hope you inspire in the ending and the "life lesson" for the living.:-) An incredible "story" piece, a pleasure to read. My very best to you for the contest. blessings, lynn
Merryman Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 9:12 PM
I lived in California when she erupted and our skies were overcast because of all the ash. A wonderful, descriptive write, Andrea! Best wishes in the contest. Blessings!
Vaso Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 7:55 PM
Mother nature is like any other women! Don't get her mad!!!! Very creative Andrea! And after the storm both mother nature and women are beautiful again!!
Turner Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 2:37 PM
I think the Cascades are absolutely gorgeous! Great story in poetic form. I do remember the event well. good luck in contest,Andrea.
Andresen Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 12:59 PM
- Really big natural forces .... This is wonderful described by your words and your beautiful pictures - Good luck in the contest, Andrea - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Allison Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 12:25 PM
You painted such a vivid story with your wordscape Andrea - so wonderful to see the before and after images too - it looks an amazing place to visit:-) good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
Kent Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 12:16 PM
I loved this event filled write.
Smith Avatar
August 15, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Such devastation but the earth is resilient and regenerates herself...lovely story poem...Muscatine looked charming from the road we stopped in Walcott for breakfast on the way there.
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