Evidence of Them-
Through the canyons & meadows they long ago roamed
They were borne to the earth & called her mother
They studied the heavens – measured time by the moon
Their print on the sierras was long ago covered
If you peer through the layers of growth & time
Beneath the present and the remnants of others
You can get just a glimpse – a clue here and ther
– evidence of them
A land offering promise – prosperity & trade
Lured searchers from afar to explore this place
A resource discovered – an empire conceived
They timbered the mountains – built a mill at their base
They tilled & planted the fertile meadows below
But their fate laid waiting in the new millrace
Paradise lost – overrun and buried – their dreams live on
– evidence of them
Dreams – drawn by tales of riches they came
From earth’s distant corners – in search of gold
They turned the rivers – washed mountains away
They tunneled down deep – into damp – into cold
Few left the sierras with their intended riches
Most headed back feeling homesick and old
Scars of their efforts are still stark & apparent
– evidence of them
Some just stayed when the gold ran out
Others journeyed west to pursue a new start
Plans were drawn – growth and trade renewed
By an ambitious people with vision and heart
They worked and prospered – lived day to day
A new age dawning – of which each one was part
Their orchards – buildings & Highways remain
– evidence of them
Today more than ever the foothills are home
To dreamers and seekers – of every kind
We still walk the canyons – savor each season
We greet each day with an open mind
We still plant and harvest yet dig up the past
In search of those clues – that revealing find
But those of the past are present today
clearly we are – evidence of them
