1999 Mount Rushmore International Writing Contest Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln: Presidents with Visions for America If they could speak today, what might they say?

2nd Place Winner: Adult Poetry
Laura Hovey Neubert
Rapid City, South Dakota

Listen, A Sentinel Prophesy

I.
Here, white honed to nature, ageless
I search this stone, patriot grit,
then retrace:
plow, quill, sword, glory
Great faces, speak.

II.
Clear tongues grope the probity
Washington shouts
Shall the world hear,
answer?

The drumming path of mottled granite,
messages bequeathed.
"In God We Trust" yesterday
welcome now the morrow.

III.
Ink passion to print, ah, Jefferson,
the century man,
then forsake not to lese majeste.
Shall the world watch,
remember?

"We Hold These Truths To Be"
the commandment ground
to rock crystal clarity;
pebbled in freedom's wounds.

IV.
Bind your brow of sorrow,
the whisper, shining seas,
Lincoln.
Shall the world be free?

Fourscore And Seven Years"
judge by blade, shedding the
light of liberty,
singing parchment; burning rights.

V.
Bully the pioneer's echo
to Roosevelt, reining luminous
faith as purple might
Shall the world see?

Dark green spruce to black
hills of naivetie's valor,
never to kneel nor
dishonor.

VI.
Shrine of Democracy harks
a nation's news;
alter to kingdom come.
See the new age, as they,

men rocked into millenium's wind.
Everlasting. Great places.

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