Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHARLESTOWN, by BESSIE CURTIS MARCIL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHARLESTOWN, by                    
First Line: Low foam-washed marshes edge the distant shore
Last Line: Help us to guard these sacred relics here, and keep them safe forevermore.
Subject(s): Charleston, South Carolina; Southern States; South (u.s.)


Low foam-washed marshes edge the distant shore,
Here and there a sandbar rests its elbows on the bosom of the Bay,
A seagull dips beneath a crested wave,
The golden sunrise calls the break of day.
They came. Stern, rugged men, tried with the burden of despotic years.
Women, too, in search of hearth and home,
Resolute, calm, they faced a wilderness of fears.

Sickness, pestilence, privation's heavy hand,
Death and the savage torch laid low,
Until at last all that were left crossed the river
To that far shore.
Here on its banks staunch hearts began another town.

New hopes were raised against calamities' suppliant gain,
And step by step, brave steadfast hearts rallied and came forth again.
Ships cast anchor in the waters of the bay,
Rich merchants journeyed here to barter wares,
Homes were built, landmarks to ravage time,
Proclaiming peace and plenty for the coming years.

And then -- nations' lust for power, reaching out a jealous hand,
To snatch from what they deemed their own,
Brought terror to a land that only asked for peace.
Pride in a conquered wilderness cast its gauntlet at the foe
The guns of Moultrie echoed over the bay.
Strife and destruction raged, but a just God ruled
And for us Freedom had its way.

And so the years rolled on. Great fields of rice and cotton brought luxury and ease.
Gay scenes where courtly ladies and gallant men held sway,
Wealth reigned and beauty thrived in this fair coastal land,
A golden harvest heralded each new day.
But as the crystal stream does gaily ramble on
A boulder checks its joyful course --
So conflicting questions again began to dawn.

War raged for four long blood years, and then bruised and broken,
Trampled beneath the whims of reconstruction bands,
Limping and tottering she stumbled forth again to gain a stand.
Fire and earthquake, storms and cyclones raged,
And year after year the convalescent South came slowly back to life,
Science mingled here and lent a hand where once raged scenes of Indian bands and strife.
The sun shines down on glimmering roofs,
Clean city streets,
Quaint gardens still hold the memories of the past;
In old churchyards where mosses blow
These rugged souls find rest at last.

God give us this peace through all the coming years,
Let not the scourge of war again invade this shore,
Help us to guard these sacred relics here, and keep them safe forevermore.





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