"The Legend of the Stone"

Dendritic agates are stones that have beautiful fern like patterns on them,
formed due to the presence of manganese and iron ions.



The following poem was created as a “legend” to explain how
these beautiful stones came to be.

“The Legend of the Stone”

The lovers walked to river’s edge
A young and happy maiden fair.
"To your heart, myself I pledge
Forever yours"! Her knight did swear.

Lovely maid and knight so bold,
With hand in hand, wander the shore.
Sun shines warm, the river cold,
Tonight he leaves to join the war.

Fond farewell, yet sad good-bye,
He leaves her by the river’s side.
Silent sobs and quiet sigh,
Her silver tears fell as she cried.

Weeks went by, she waited there
And walked along the river’s edge.
Purging thoughts of her despair;
Remembering her true love’s pledge.

Then came news; her knight was dead.
An arrow pierced him, through and through.
A stifled cry; she turned and fled,
But no one thought they should pursue.

Then next day, a shout was heard.
The maid was found in water deep.
In grief 'twas death she now preferred;
Alone, she chose eternal sleep.

Floating hair and grey-white lips
Her arms outstretched, filled with debris.
Spreading out her fingertips,
She seemed a floating willow tree.

Buried by the river’s brink,
The maiden’s grave became a shrine.
Through the years men came to think
The place was holy and divine.

Legends grew, around this grave,
About the maiden and her knight.
Wanderers would stoop to save
The tumbled stones of grey and white.

Stones along the river's bank
Became a token of this place.
Visitors of every rank
Took stones that proved the maiden’s grace.

Pictures of the maiden’s hair
Were on the stones, for all to see.
On the water, resting there
Her hair fanned like a branching tree.

If you see a stone like this
When wandering along a shore,
Stop a moment; reminisce.
The maiden waits, forever more.



rhyme: abab
rhythm: 7-8-7-8
5-14-07