Franklin LaVoie
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Song of Zoar
(after S.T. Coleridge’s Kublai Khan)
In Valley Zoar my Valentine
a State preserve for all decreed
Where Cattaraugus Creek descends
through chasms fathomless to man
Down to fresh water seas.
So, countless miles of fertile ground
Where crystal fountains cascade down
Among fragrant flowers bright adorning rills,
Encircling hillocks ancient as the trees.
Sweet enchanting song birds showing off their skills
Veiled in sunbeams slanting through greenery
But lo! That steep fantastic meander planted
Like a sphinx in the heart of the wilderness!
A holy place! As vital and symbolic
As any temple mount by man constructed
To bend the ears of God, or native Corn Woman
From this pyramid, the thunderbird comes wheeling
As if this spot the holy ghost revealing
A miracle of wonder momently appeared
Beneath whose vast etheric aura bursts
Whole tomes burn to ashes repeating the tale
Like withered leaves in an autumn gale
Swift waters clattering through Skinner Hollow
Are flung into the snaking Cattauraugus
Long miles meandering in a lazy motion
From hallowed forests the Cattauraugus fans
Beyond the gorges measureless to man
It sinks in tumult at Niagara Falls:
From this tumult Cattauraugus is not far
Stone red road of the wild cat family
Quiet shades of its former glory
Occupying what is saved
Of the sacred mother’s treasure:
Forest, meadow, creek, and cave.
It is a miracle that will suffice
All is not lost, Zoar is still paradise!
A bundle of dried yarrow stalks
Tied together is now strong
It is the muscle that is made
Being joined as one, to dissuade
Abhorrent clear cutting saws
Could I protect forever
That forest with my songs
Then such a voice would rise within me
I would share it with the throngs
We would plant a forest here
Of diverse trees, and species rare!
So all who came could see them there
And all would cede! Be made aware!
The strapping oak! The frail pear!
Weave a cloak of moss and sorrel
And banish greed, put fears to bed,
And listen to the watershed
Of paradise! the song of Zoar.
By Franklin LaVoie, 2007 ©