[JustAmy]

Washita River

When the Oklahoma sun glares hot overhead
The Washita River, through its gulch of red,
Trickles slowly along on its tortuous way
Through Clinton, Anadarko and Chickasha,
From the Cheyenne Hills and the Texas plains,
Where the hot winds blow and it seldom rains
Throught the C. And A. county and the Kiowa
Clean down to Red River and the Chickasaw
Through windswept prairies and lonely sandhills,
To the tree-bordered valleys where coolness distills.

When the spring rains come and the winter snows thaw,
It's a different story - the Washita.
Then the swollen river roars down with a flood
Turning fertile farm lands into swirling mud,
And riding the waves of its mighty crest,
Like cattle stampeding or stallions abreast,
Come branches and trunks of uprooted trees
Where an hour before one crossed it with ease.
It goes rip-roaring on its ravaging way,
And man counts his losses with gloom and dismay.

By Laressa Cox McBurney
Published in Always The Prairie in 1949

Sharing another poem by my aunt ..... not sure where the Washita River is located. I think it is in Oklahoma, if not ..... OOOPS. :)

[Aquamarine]

She’s just amazing Amy and her poems are so perfect for this thread.

[luvie]

Your aunt is quite talented.

Yes it’s in Oklahoma...we pass over it when on our way to
OKC to see my MIL and my son and DIL. :D Not much water in
it, of course!

So....ya did good! LOL!

[Lady Jag]

OKLAHOMA:   LIKE THE PLAY ONLY LESS SINGING

[luvie]

A summer thunderstorm seen
while driving through Oklahoma

[MEG33]

You aunt painted a picture with words..Terrific.

[MEG33]

http://www.oklatravelnet.com/#/Video/12111
Here is a canoe trip on the Washita River..and explanations of how it has been tamed..and changed from your aunt’s day.

[La Enchiladita]

Oh, that poem is so beautiful, JustAmy.
Your aunt was a wonderful writer and true lover of the land.
I may be wrong but that might be a sonnet form, not sure.

Thank you for sharing the poetry of Laressa Cox McBurney...:)