Lake Tahoe, Claimed
A million years of crust and crumble,
claimed by faults, stretched and rumbled;
mountains awakened, valleys created;
geologists named this uplift.
Glaciers claimed and carved a basin;
frozen in time, in isolation,
but for the natives who loved the lake first,
welcomed to heaven’s front door.
The people from here, brought by Coyote*,
summered and claimed by this lake, long before we
discovered the sun-kissed Sierras, she
bade them: Take care of this place.
Sapphire, emerald, silver, gold,
land, timber, claims of freehold;
wayfarers remained; culture exchanged;
first people pushed from their land.
Cerulean bowl to hold a world’s hopes;
sun and moon and stars and slopes;
a haven, a holy space, claimed by so many
but for the natives who loved the lake first.
*one of several creation stories of the Wašiw (Washoe) people
(https://washoetribe.us/aboutpage/4-Page-washoe-history)
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©draft, Patricia J. Franz
https://www.loc.gov/resource/pan.6a16295/
Geo. R. Lawrence Co., Copyright Claimant. Lake Tahoe, Cal., showing hotels and broad walk. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2007660427/>.
Karen at Karen Edmisten* is our Poetry Friday host this week. She’s welcoming June with William Butler Yeats! Go visit and enjoy the rest of the Poetry Friday poem-love!Â
Following the gold rush and timber harvesting of the late 1800’s, the unparalleled beauty of Lake Tahoe began to attract people from everywhere. This photo was taken in 1908 when it had become a haven for the wealthy.
Lake Tahoe is dashingly beautiful, forever-single, claimed by many lovers. Yet, it is the mysterious un-own-able-ness of the lake itself that holds a piece of their hearts captive. Everyone, EVERYONE –people who met, married, skied, trekked, vacationed, worked, lived, or visited here — ANY person who has spent ANY time in the basin — makes a claim.
Yet so little of what passes for history — not just in Lake Tahoe but all over this country– includes information about the native people who lived in and loved the land first.
This poem is for them.
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Nice to read this one again here, Patricia!
Yes, Thank you to our Nevermores for this week’s Poetry Friday contribution! The new puppy kept me from writing more – lol!
It is important for all of us to remember this, Patricia. Well done!
Thank you, Linda. I’m increasingly aware of First Peoples who traveled these paths long before us.
Beautiful poem, lyrical and poignant. So many great lines. “Cerulean bowl to hold the world’s hopes.” Thanks for the wonderful photos, too.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Jama. And the photos.
I visited Lake Tahoe in April for the first time. Such magnificent views! I enjoyed the background giving in your poem, and the evocative details of its creation. I try to imagine what it was like when it was quiet, before it turned into a tourist spot.
Ahh, the shoulder seasons here are both beautiful and quiet. Thank you, Janice.
Thank you for sharing, and for acknowledging the Indigenous folks from whom Lake Tahoe was stolen.
Yes, this is becoming increasingly important to me. Thank you, Sarah.
Such a beautiful tribute, Patricia.
So many beautiful lines, Patricia. I think though, your third verse is my fave. It sings.
Thank you, Kat!
I’m trying to acknowledge the indigenous of all places I find myself these days. Thank you, Sally.
Powerful. May we never forget that the land we live on was once unowned, yet carefully stewarded by the indigenous people.
Never forget; acknowledge; learn; remember.
Patricia, your draft poem is a true tribute to those who first inhabited the land. I have never heard of the Washoe people so thanks for the information and the old photos.
There are so many unknown, indigenous peoples! I’m trying to learn as I go now. Thank you, Carol.
Lake Tahoe is one my favorite places to visit and your poem does it justice. (My sister was married there years ago – a happy memory. 🙂 )
There it is: a claim 🙂 When we visited Death Valley a few months ago, the video I watched about the Timbisha Shoshone asked that we who visit acknowledge and respect the lands when we visit. That’s all. So I’m trying to do that now everywhere I find myself.
Thank you for a poem for our first people. I’ve never been to the lake…so I don’t have a claim. But, I feel like you’ve shared your piece with me and your piece includes forgotten people that I’m glad to meet here.
Thank you, Linda! I hope you will be able to visit someday.
Love this “Cerulean bowl” image!
Thank you, Anastasia!
Beautiful, moving poem of these first people, love the rhythm your poem is creating. Thanks for sharing about them!
Thanks, Michelle!