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THEY PASSED THIS WAY Olof J. Christensen Ft. Green, Utah Second Place Poetry O'er prairie lands and desert sands, The Handcarts creaked their way. Where white, bleached skulls of oxen starred, They seemed to say, they passed this way. They passed this way, their goal was high, Yet distant like the starry sky. They passed this way, the winds might say, They passed this way, they passed this way. They passed this way so long ago, Thru summer's sun and winter's snow, They passed this way so long ago. On trails grown dim, so long ago, They passed from day to day. Beset by cold and hunger, they wended Their weary way, their long and weary way. And sometimes when the lights were low, They dreamed of trails of long ago. And gently shed a tear for they, who found their rest along the way. And when the night shades gathered deep, Within the circled wagons there, The gleaming stars watched o'er their sleep, And slumber eased them of their care. THE BIG COTTONWOOD TREE Wilford Wheeler Fairview, Utah Honorable Mention Poetry I wander how old is that Cottonwood Tree, The one in the meadow, the big one you see? It's stood sturdy and strong since I was a Tad, And many years more according to Dad, Who selected and spared it while clearing the land And left it a landmark unscared by a hand. It grew in a grove known only to God, And probably Indians who under it trod. -24- |
