Ghost Towns

A poem about the ghosts that roam the abandoned mining towns

 

High in the Mountains between lost and lonely

Lay dreams and memories untold

And the bones of men with their weathered tombstones

They’re the miners that came looking for gold

 

Abandoned and broken they wither away

With no one there left to care

The mines and the dance halls all closed long ago

Leaving only the stories they shared

 

The wind on Boot-hill blows weary and cold

And what’s left of a thriving small town

Now rests in the secrets of long, long ago

As the buildings keep tumbling down

 

Yet many a man made a fortune up there

The lucky got out with their wealth

So many passed without leaving a sign

The hapless played the hand they were dealt

 

The ladies of pleasure were treated

Like queens of the night so it’s said

The thieves would swindle and steal you blind

Or knife you and leave you for dead

 

Some are remembered many more are forgotten

Most died tired and poor

But the ghosts that haunt what’s left of these towns

Chase shadows ‘cross old wooden floors

 

High in the mountains between lost and lonely

Lay dreams and memories untold

And the bones of men with the weathered tombstones

They’re the miners that came looking for Gold.

 

Author's Note

When I was younger I visited many Utah ghost towns and old mining camps.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Trace, The colors in the painting leave me in a trance
with the shades of gold that blend with your poem.
Perhaps your Mother could include a colored copy of your poem
when she sells a painting... a poem for every painting.
You are truly blessed. We watch reruns of the "Death Valley Days"
series on TV. The stories remind me of your poem. with best wishes,
Pat

[Trace]

my mom actually does have a duplicate of this painting and a copy of the poem with it in her studio in Blackfoot Idaho.
Thank you dear friend for your wonderful comments and compliments on this combination of work.

Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Those mining towns are mostly abandoned now. They were built on dreams and the men and women who lived there wanted to better themselves. Your look back in history is a bit eerie, but so well written. I liked this. Lydi**

[Trace]

So many are completely lost to nothing but history, some still have abandoned buildings and graveyards. I have been to many and have adventured through lots of mine shafts, and found hidden treasures beyond just photos.
My mother painted the picture for me, and I wrote the poem based on my adventures and memories,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and compliments on this piece.

Huggs, Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Your mother is quite an artist!

[Trace]

she turns 88 tomorrow and still has her own studio where she paints and sells her work,
in Blackfoot Idaho. She is also a very talented poet with many pieces published and many awards for her writing.

[Lydia Shutter]

Then I can see where you get your talent from! May you have her in your life for many more years.

[Quill]

this must have been an adventure for you, i do like your creepy poem though

[Trace]

when I was younger, I used to go "ghost town chasing"
I visited many places around my home state, This is one of my favorite poems.
Thanks for the great comments,

Trace