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Appalachia Poems

Helene

Helene, you stormed through Appalachian way
from the gulf coast,
you brought a merciless wrath,
a hurricane in the early autumnal mountains.
Mudslides, flooding, high winds, driving rain,
helpless people swept away.

You had fierce scorn,
you screamed and rattled our windows.
A hellion of force,
Blue Ridge recovery,
slow, but hopeful.
Weeping as the waters recede.
Some loss of lives, some missing.
Homes destroyed,
the abiding Lord,
His presence

Categories: appalachia, 6th grade, 7th grade,
Form: Free verse

In the Heart of Appalachia

In the heart of Appalachia 
are a people
Stigmatized and down trodden 
honestly forgotten
they will invite you over for Sunday dinner
Their hospitality unrivaled
they will tell you this history of their people
From the great rivalries to its famous people

They take pride in the work they do 
cause their momma's taught them so
and their papas would make it

Categories: appalachia, history, introspection, life, people,
Form: Free verse

Sink City

It’s in the rows of old oaks
                the pothole that was never filled,

Categories: appalachia, america, angst, corruption, nostalgia,
Form: Free verse

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Sometimes When Shadows Fall

Sometimes when shadows fall across the ridges
Spirits conjure up images from the foggy valleys
Rapidly fading memories of mountain life yesterday.
Majestic crests still whisper hidden secrets of the past--

Escapes from Trails of Tears, wretched poverty,
Melungeon peoples and marrying into respectability.
Nestled in the hollows were the tiny one-room schools
Holding out the only hope of a better life

Categories: appalachia, mountains,
Form: Free verse

Directions

Take that road down yonder, she said
Toward the signpost that reads, lickskillet
Turn right up thar and then left after that
To a highfulootin road that’s paved in black

After you see the red store building by the crik
Turn to your right and you’ll be at Old Jack’s street
From there you go over the mountain a ways
And keep

Categories: appalachia, america, people, perspective, travel,
Form: Free verse

Memories In Appalachia

Every morning at close to four
She made the coffee, percolated
Poured it into cups with saucers
And they each would have a cup
Pouring the potent black liquid
Into the saucers before drinking
The cooling solution from them

This was only one more glimpse
Into the heart of Appalachian living
A day by day extravaganza of insights
Carried down from the Irish ancestors
Who’d come

Categories: appalachia, mountains, remembrance day, usa,
Form: Free verse

Mountain People

M aking their way from nothing
O pening their hearts for others
U sing what they have on hand
N ature seems to draw them in
T ime keeps them always alert
A mazing grace is a part of church
I nner peace comes from hope
N ever giving up on a Holy God

P recious people in their souls
E very one knows

Categories: appalachia, america, appreciation, family, inspiration,
Form: Acrostic

Mountain People

Making their way from nothing
Opening their hearts for others
Using what they have on hand
Nature seems to draw them in
Time keeps them always alert
Amazing grace is a part of church
Inner peace comes from hope
Never giving up on a Holy God

Precious people in their souls
Every one knows everyone 
Over the hill they send love
Presented by caring and

Categories: appalachia, america, faith, mountains, nature,
Form: Acrostic

The Bible In Appalachia

The Bible sits on the coffee table
The center of the home
As it should be, naturally,
The heart of God’s word

The Bible makes its mark on me
And every family
That has lived in this rural place
We call Appalachia

The Bible is a healing word
A quiet touch 
During a struggling hour
The good book is filled with love

The Bible teaches these

Categories: appalachia, bible, blessing, faith, god,
Form: Free verse