Oregon Forevermore

Oregon has taken hold of my young soul
Holding it captive so that
No other hills, trees, mountains
Stir my heart in the same way
As her rolling valleys that
Lure in unsuspecting tourist
Catching hold of their hearts
Just as she has caught hold of mine

Oregon is alive, she lives breaths
A young maiden of the forest
Running naked through emerald woods
Long hair thrown out behind her
Bare feet marking out
The rhythm of her pounding heart
She is young, reckless, pure
A heart green and unspoiled by the
Gluttony of this harsh world
Still growing, still learning
Alive, pulsing with youth's energy

And yet she is a child
A child whose eyes haunt you
Following you to dig into your soul
Old eyes, wise beyond her years
Eyes reflecting ageless mountains
Mountains that see all
Fires, quakes, death, and rebirth
Eyes that see what man is doing to her
Fair, innocent body
And eyes that can do nothing
To stop him

Man devouring her slight, untried form
Ravishing her lush, sweet hilltops
And corrupting her natural beauty
Innocencen burned away
Replaced with something cruel
Harsh, and ultimately grey
She knows it's wrong
But a child has no voice to
Make it stop

And yet, still the maiden dances
Determined to enjoy the sweet
Remnants of her youth
Capturing the hearts of those of us
Who dare to dream and love and trust
We that see her, believe in her
Listening to her earthbound song
We who are starved without her
Divine beauty for we know the she is
Life, death, and always a promise
For more. Eternally
She is forever Oregon