I headed south for a few days,
In the hopes of enjoying spring;
But I came across scenes like this,
Such utter sadness to me they bring.
“I talked to the coal miners and the coal company foreman,
And they weren't even aware that there were cemeteries up here.
If I hadn't told them, my ancestors would have been blown away.”
An Appalachian Mountain Resident
Music: Conquest of Paradise
If you look closely at this god-awful photograph
You will soon spot a small remaining stand of trees
All the forests, and everything around them, are gone
All except for this tiny patch of a 200-year old cemetery
Mountaintop Removal Mining has devastated this entire area
Mile upon mile of once majestic green hills and valleys - gone
If this one man had not stood his ground, and protected his past
He would have found all of his ancestors blown to bits one dawn
Several other families, and their family cemeteries in these mountains
Have not been as fortunate, as coal companies now desecrate, so fast
In our modern day greed, and with the blessing of most of our ‘leaders’
We as a nation, now seem hell-bent, to destroy everything from our past
The man who stood his ground against the desecration of this old cemetery
Fondly recalls his youth, when these hillsides had trees, birds, and wildlife
People enjoying picnics, in the cool fresh air, these mountains had provided
And families visiting the gravesites of ancestors who came before them in life
So far, 2,000 acres of once vibrant hills and valleys have been decimated here
It is estimated that 2 million acres here, will be blown away in the next decade
I now cringe whenever I see the god-awful ads proclaiming ‘Coal Is Our Future’
In the coming years, we will have little left in our nation – it is being blown away
Coal companies are supposed to be restoring this land when mining is completed
But, of course, this is not being enforced, and no efforts to do so, are being taken
These ancient mountains once had life – trees, animals, fresh water, and songbirds
Today, they are rapidly becoming ‘Dead Zones’ – lifeless and forsaken landscapes
A 2011 West Virginia University study also shows that cancer rates here are now on the rise
From the numerous toxic poisons, now being released into the drinking water, and into the air
We are destroying natural beauty and human and animal lives, supposedly for our future needs
I sadly wonder what type of existence will be left, and why so many today don’t even care
©Spring Wandering 2012, Mr. Ed
The Last Mountain:
Share
Print
Save
Pray for an end!!
Bless the caregivers!!!
Like *Mr Ed*
Lady Vivian
asa
Anna
sanctity of life for our ancestors is broken.
Lady Mary Ann
Ron
Thanks you for always waking us up, Ed...
Peace, love and light,
Amber