Smoky Mountain Poets
Smoky Mountain Poets. These mountains have inspired generations to express themselves through songs, deeds and words. Remarkable words that transcend the passage of time and speak to each new generation. So much so that a Smoky Mountain poet laureate was commissioned in the early 20th century.
Ella V. Costner was honored to be the first and only Smoky Mountain poet laureate. Costner (1894-1982) was born in Cosby and grew up on Crying Creek near the Gabes Mountain Trailhead. After her stint as an Army nurse in Pearl Harbor and Guam, she returned to Newport, Tennessee and published several books of poems and essays. Ella’s final resting place can be found in the hills she loved on a short walk up the Snake Den Ridge trail in Cosby.
“There are moments in the lives of some men, so fraught with emotion and beauty, as to make one weep no matter how often one reads or thinks of them.” Ella V. Costner, from the Lamp in the Cabin.
Others have followed in Ella’s footsteps and we are thrilled to share their love of the Smoky Mountain with you here.
I want to spend my summer days with you.
Lying, just you and I, underneath a true blue sky.
Listening to the hum of the June bugs as we talk about all the things we love.
We can watch the dreamy clouds drift on by as we wait on the shooting stars that will – one by one, erase even our deepest scars.
We’ll smile as the young fawns pass by and at the bear cubs as they play – silent to the thought our tomorrows and our yesterdays.I want to spend my summer days with you.
In the hills that I call home, wrapped up in the Smokies haze, among the beautiful places where I roam and play.
Yes, I want to spend my summer days with you, doing what lovers do and dreaming of a love that’s true….
Because it won’t be long til autumn steals the days away and my blue sky slowly fades to gray.
Written by Kristi Parsons
