Where Our Heroes Ashes Lay(Enter in poetry contest, please)
by
Rita P Hestand
Sunday, December 09, 2001
 Share
 Print  Save  Become a Fan
|
A hundred and sixty five years ago, in an old Spanish mission torn with strife,
A hundred and eighty-five men or so, for Texas laid down their life.
Now the question has long remained, why the Alamo still stood.
Why Colonel Travis and Bowie refrained, and did General Houston know they would?
"Gone to Texas" Crockett wrote his goodbye, with his "Betsy" strapped to his side.
Liberty and Independence he would cry, to the Alamo he did ride.
Men came from many nations, doctors, lawyers, blacksmiths too.
Men from Gonzales took up their stations, but their numbers were too few.
No uniforms did they wear, fought cold and hunger with merely a prayer.
Travis wrote letters with such flair, declaring "liberty or death" in God's care.
Smith and Bonham dispatched through the night,sent with messages of their plight.
Colonel Fannin must soon come to fight, for the enemy was now in sight.
While the "Deguello" played in the distance, Travis still refused defeat,
Knowing full well there would be no assistance, his men chose not to retreat.
Santa Anna won the battle that day, but Houston vowed they would pay.
"Remember the Alamo", Texans still say-and where our heroes ashes lay!
|
This is strictly from a Texan's viewpoint, with love!
|
|
Rita Hestand Author
|
Want to review or comment on this
poem?
Click here to login!
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Click here for your Membership!
|
| Reviewed by mike cruz |
4/12/2007 |
|
When I was a boy the battle of the Alamo was the source of my first childhood heroes,it helped that "Davy Crockett" was a big hit for Disney in the 50's in song and on screen. I used to love just to pronounce the names...Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis, etc. As I grew up I realized I was a Mexican and Texas belonged first to the the Apaches and Comanches then to Spain then to Mexico, hence the Texan revolt for 'independence' from Mexico, the Texans (American settlers) having already attacked and routed the Mexicans in 1835 during the Texas Revolution. Anyway I don't consider General Santa Ana or his forces my heroes, being of the opinion that all territorial wars of agression (militant colonization) is wrong from a Christian viewpoint. (I'm Jehovah's Witness). Actually, being an American by birth and a Mexican by descent is no longer an issue with me; I love all races equally as being descendants of Adam and then through Noah's three sons. In closing, being a poet myself, from a poetic standpoint I really enjoyed your poem and I think the guts and glory of that bloody day might be found on both sides of the battle. At any rate from being a Mexican chapel (built in 1744) to a converted military fortress by the Texans, I think we should all remember the Alamo of 1836 for what it's worth, if only that it rallied the Americans to slaughter the Mexicans six weeks later at San Jacinto (General Santa Ana survived), and finally annex Texas to the Union in 1845 (which precipitated the Mexican War), yes, by the blood of the so-called defenders and martyrs of the Alamo. On a final note (as you already may know), "alamo" is the Spanish word for cottonwood. Thank you for your poem and your time.
--Mike Cruz, Santa Ana, CA |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Aleja Bennett |
6/19/2006 |
|
| VERY NICE GOOD WORD FLOW |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Sandra Mushi |
6/19/2005 |
|
| Beautiful, Rita! |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Bhuwan Thapaliya |
3/12/2005 |
|
| Splendid write....very well written...love n luck...BHUWAN!!! |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Eddie Thompson |
2/13/2004 |
|
| "Remembering The Alamo" here!!! Great poem. You don't have to be a Texan to be proud of the boys at the Alamo. |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Vesna TwinFlameunion |
11/29/2003 |
|
Well done Rita!..I must say though..that it's NOT just your view of it..I have the same sense of it..ty...
Excellent write! ty
Vesna .) |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Tyler Wiseman |
9/17/2003 |
|
Yes, it is the poets duty to pay testament in regard to great acts, recognised and less than. You have a good ode here, I enjoyed the read.
Tyler Joseph Wiseman |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Andre Bendavi ben-YEHU |
5/11/2003 |
|
Filling her tasks as a poet - she brings history to culture and emotion poemized on the page of knowledge. "Where Our Heroes Ashes Lay" in the "Alamo" inspired the Author.
I Salute you Poet Rita Hestand with the accolades of my heart.
My gratitude and respect.
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Clayton Umbach (Reader) |
2/14/2003 |
|
| Very touching, Rita. I have been a longtime Alamo historian and very much enjoyed your effort (I also lived in Corpus seven years as a Navy flight instructor). Enjoy the Texas Riviera. |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by E. Lucas-Taylor |
2/9/2003 |
|
Enjoyed it Rita, and how I miss Texas. Take a spin around the River Walk for me.
~Elizabeth |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Sandi Schraut |
10/13/2002 |
|
| I have visited the Alamo and marveled at it's tinyness in size and its hugeness in history... this story is marvelous and the words ring with true heroism Sandi |
|
|
|
|
