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Snow capped peaks and ridges
Almost two miles high
A lovely sight she was
Reaching toward the sky.

A lake held to her breast
Its waters cold and clear
Its name, from Indian lore
That was conceived in fear.

They felt the whole region
Had belonged to the dead
They wouldn't go near it
They believed what was said.

Spirit Lake was a gem
That sparkled in the light
But her brilliance is gone
Now, just a desolate site.

The mountain had been quiet
A hundred years, two score.
And then in May of '80
She came to life once more

More than five hundred bombs
Of the atomic size --
The energy she spent
As she took to the skies.
Up sixty thousand feet
She threw her ash and dust
And made those who saw it
Cry out --"In God we trust!"

Two hundred miles away
They heard her blow her top
And those that lived near her
Thought that she'd never stop.

Parts of her were carried
By winds, clear 'round the earth
And land for miles around
Has lost all of its worth.
She vented her anger
But don't think that she's done
And those with any sense
Would turn away and run.

For Old Mother Nature
Can be so soft and sweet
But if she wants to fight
You know she can't be beat.

It's just one more warning
One more that we won't heed
So we'll pay the price
And refuse to concede.

Del “Abe” Jones
"Mount Saint Helens"
Poem by Del "Abe" Jones
Del “Abe” Jones
Del “Abe” Jones served in the United States Air Force, 1958-1961, 92nd Combat Defense Squadron, K-9 Corps, Fairchild Air Force
Base, Washington. Today, Jones is a father of four, grandfather to eight, and the great grandfather of three who resides in Spokane,
Washington. He continues to write poetry and hopes to be successful as a song lyricist in Tennessee.  More of his poetry here  
Photo (C) by MountStHelens.com taken March 8, 2005