Enthusiasm for Fort Lauderdale’s natural treasures reaches farther back than the 21st century. Below is part of a poem about this city, written in 1840 and featured in a Saint Augustine newspaper:
Ode to Fort Lauderdale
A reef of pure coral bounds Lauderdale’s land
Along which the sun-fish in myriads play;
With hues of the sunbeams are shells on her strand
In sparkling profusion embathed in the spray . . .
A virgin New River, to her Ocean calls,
Through distant murmurs, he woos her embrace.
Coy and modest she comes, ‘til its thunder appalls.
Then in wonder, abashed, turns away from his face . . .
I applaud our city’s (and Florida’s!) current-day residents, politicians and nature conservationists for striving to return our tropical paradise back to its natural state. Clean air, clean water, healthy animal habitats—including reefs, recycling and a focus on green living are factors for which we are all responsible—not only here, but everywhere. Here’s looking toward returning and maintaining our global environment to the point of inspiration, once more.
I wish you sheer poetry from my corner of paradise!
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