La Florida Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

He sought the fabled fountain's source
of youth and ageless health
among the snake infested woods
and lived by grit and stealth

He called the land La Florida
but swamps and coral rocks
made living tough and death was swift
for hardy Indian stock

He never found that sought for spring
but on his next trip back
brought seven cattle on his boat
and citrus packed in sacks

That was five hundred years ago
and soon the landscape stirred
with fragrant groves of oranges
and cowboys riding herd

Much muck and swamplands have been tamed
new highways cross the state
and age has found a place to rest
when life is long and late

A seeker makes a difference
in search for something new
and Ponce de Leon's smallest gift
soon grew and grew and grew

Though orange juice and sirloin steak
may not return your youth
Ponce is the man to thank for them
and that, friend, is the truth

He sought the fabled fountain's source
of youthfulness and health
among the snake infested woods
and lived by grit and stealth.