2009: HEARTWOOD PERFORMS 'WEST VIRGINIA CHILD' - Calhoun Poet-Writer Jeanne Wilson Recognized
LEFT: Award-winning Calhoun writer-poet Jeanne Wilson (left) and daughter Barbara Lay attend Heartwood celebration; RIGHT: Ilene Evans eloquently speaks words of poem with dancers performing to Copeland's 'Appalachian Spring'
A highlight of Heartwood in the Hills' 17th annual December Celebration was a spoken word, dance and music performance of "West Virginia Child" by Calhoun's award-winning poet-writer Jeanne Wilson.
WEST VIRGINIA CHILD
West Virginia Child,
look up.
Dream mountain dreams.
These hills that have been gutted -
scalped -
stand firm.
Though mountain winds
blow cold
the mountain trail
still rises.
Your heritage is faith,
pride,
courage.
Climb on,
and having gained
the crest
stand tall,
sing out
"Im a West Virginia child."
- Jeanne Wilson