Roadking22 has been Geocaching since May of 2012 and he introduced me to Geocaching in June of 2012. He is a little bit obsessed with it as you may be able to tell by this being his 500th find. This will be a milestone that will give him the incentive to reach 1000. I felt that his dedication to Geocaching deserved this tribute. He is from Texas and plans to return upon his retirement. This little poem is for you Jerry. Congratulations!
The Lone Star of Texas
G. G. Simcox 1851
WHEN the Lone Star of Texas arose in the West,
Pale and dimly it shone from its orbit on high,
For the Mexican Eagle had flown from his nest,
And his broad dusky wings overshadowed the sky.
As the hordes of Sant' Anna rushed on to the fight
And up to the Heavens their battle-cry pealed,
Oh! paler that star grew, I ween, for its light
Was eclipsed by the glitter of helmet and shield.
On the spot where still struggled a small Spartan band,
Who had sworn for their country to conquer or die,
Where the dark frowning walls of the Alamo stand,
The "Lone Star," still shone from its home in the sky.
How that band bravely stood through the perilous fight
How they gloriously died-let history tell.
But paler than ever that star shed its light
When Travis---the Texas Leonidas---fell.
Where the tyrant dismayed, from the battle-field fled,
Where the blood of his minions encrimsoned the plain,
O'er the field of Jacinto, where slumber the dead,
More brilliant than ever that star rose again
And now in the flag of the Union, that star
In a bright constellation unceasingly glows.
And long may it shine, in peace or in war,
A beacon to friends, or a terror to foes.