Through vegetation
in reclamation mode,
once-upon-a-time streets
compete and recede
against the onslaught of nature.
Empty roads split and crack,
un-paving themselves
while heated rocks spit rain back
into the atmosphere.
Steam and smoke
now choke the air.
Blackdamp rising
everywhere.
Stoic, leafless maple trees,
insides burnt,
are white as birch.
Steps and stairs
that lead nowhere
save memories and
our own imaginings.
Foundations of dreams
reduced to rubble,
burst bubbles and fear;
Municipalis Non-Grata,
this town’s not welcome here.
The fire is stoked,
a century burn.
Your zip code revoked,
a lesson to learn.
Yet still, some remain
despite the pain
as their “Rights” burn away
beneath their feet.

17927 Contributed by Nazmythian on Friday, 22nd June 2007 @ 04:18:56 PM in AEST Topic: AmericanTragedy Through vegetation in reclamation mode, once-upon-a-time streets compete and recede against the onslaught of nature. Empty roads split and crack, un-paving themselves while heated rocks spit rain back into the atmosphere. Steam and smoke now choke the air. Blackdamp rising everywhere. Stoic, leafless maple trees, insides burnt, are white as birch. Steps and stairs that lead nowhere save memories and our own imaginings. Foundations of dreams reduced to rubble, burst bubbles and fear; Municipalis Non-Grata, this town’s not welcome here. The fire is stoked, a century burn. Your zip code revoked, a lesson to learn. Yet still, some remain despite the pain as their “Rights” burn away beneath their feet. ~ Nazmythian ~ ( Author's Note : the title, these numbers ... 17927 ... were once a zip code assigned to the town of Centralia, PA. The United States Postal Service has revoked this code and no longer recognizes what at one point was a city of more than 3,000 ( yet has been reduced to perhaps 11 in recent years ) as a town. ) Other Pennsylvania Mine Fires There are many underground mine fires in Pennsylvania as well as around the world. Pennsylvania has over a quarter million acres of abandoned mine lands and has over a third of the nations mine problems. There are over 45 mine fires burning across Pennsylvania. There are five underground fires in Allegheny County, five in Percy County, one in Westmoreland, and others in more isolated areas. There are also fires in Findlay Twp., West Elizabeth, Plum, and Clinton. "In all, the DEP estimates about 1,300 acres across the state are on fire underground." (Glover, 1998). One particular town, Youngstown, is under the wrath of the Percy fire that has been burning for over 30 years. There are about 60 homes resting on top of this fire now. Youngstown is reaching the critical decision point that Centralia reached in 1983, either extinguish the fire or relocate the whole town. Estimates conclude that extinguishing the Percy fire will cost $30 to $40 million, and over $650 million to put out all nationwide fires (Glover, 1998). [ the above information was found here: http://www.offroaders.com/album/centralia/other-mine-fires.htm ] Copyright © Nazmythian ... [ 2007-06-22 16:18:56] (Date/Time posted on site) Advertisments: Previous Posted Poem         | |         Next Posted Poem