Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OLD TAMPA BAY, by LYNN RUSSELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OLD TAMPA BAY, by                    
First Line: The present age forgets my vivid past
Last Line: We must have sport of them before they die!
Subject(s): De Soto, Hernando (1500-1542); Tampa Bay


THE BAY

The present age forgets my vivid past
And knows me only as I am today.
To me, the cycle of the years holds fast
The memories which time has tossed my way.

Along my shores what changes have been wrought!
Caloosa towns and forests -- all are gone;
The Spaniards came; the pirates roved and fought;
New towns and cities sprang from thought and brawn.

Great bridges span my crest, huge boats ride in
And out; I know that I am close of kin
To ages gone, this present age, to years
The future brings before it disappears.

THE CALOOSAS

We built our towns along this wooded shore;
We paddled back and forth across this sea
And here we lived and loved and died beofre
The Spaniards brought us guns and misery.

DE SOTO

Ah, look, another bay! We'll anchor here
And cut more live oaks for our rotting ships;
We'll row ashore, the gold we seek is near --
This time we'll end our futile, inland trips.

GASPARILLA

I'll hide within this sheltered bay; I know
The channel here. Our foes will pass us by;
We'll drink and feast. Come, make our captives row.
We must have sport of them before they die!





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