117 N. Church Lane Poem by Dorothy (Alves) Holmes

There are no majestic mountains
To frame her graces,
No rolling hills or water falls,
Yet how grand her splendor.

As a beacon she stands, adorned in
The glow of community pride, pride
Wrought of determination, with an
Unspoken motto; we can, we will, we
Must!

Her sidewalks stretch and curve in
Beauty around her.
Sidewalks to adventure;
My first thought when I observed
A workman kneeling, his back strong
and bent, moving with artistic precision,
Creating her welcome mat, her sidewalks
To adventure.

Her doors say, 'Enter you wise ones with
Years of wisdom,
Enter you young ones with youthful zest,
Enter you little one with wide eyed innocence,
Come enjoy your special place,
We want to hear your laughter.'

'Come in search of truth or fantacy, come
In haste or stroll, come sit a spell!
We welcome you! '

Her dress was chosen in
Red Brick to reflect her warmth.
Time after time, tallly by tally, our opinions
Mattered in the final scheme of all that
Made for her magnificence.

We stand here today so proud, hearts pounding,
Almost breathless; you raged like a burning
Fire in our hearts and dreams taunting us with
Overwhelming desire.
Taunt us no more, you have come to be,
You, Our dream, has become a reality!

Written for and read at the dedication of our new Essex County Public Library in Tappahannock, Virginia...I was honored to write and dedicate this poem at the celebration.