PHOENIX RISING JULY P.A.D. TRAVELOG – DESTINATION: POETRY (THE ALAMO)

The Alamo

The Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the state’s most iconic landmarks. It draws 2.5 million visitors every year. People tour the grounds of this cultural museum to learn about the pivotal role it played in Texas’ struggle for independence. Not only does it have a compelling fundamental story, but research yields many little-known pieces of information.

In the early 1700s, the Spanish military built the Alamo to serve as a mission. Mexico gained independence from Spain. The Alamo was the scene of a pivotal battle in the fight for the independence of Texas from Mexico. In the early 1800s, Texas belonged to Mexico. During the Texas war for independence from Mexico, Spanish troops occupied the abandoned building, now used as a fortress, calling it Alamo. The word álamo is Spanish for cottonwood (a type of tree that grows in the area).

Your mission is to write a “Remember the Alamo” type of poem.  You certainly can use the actual Alamo, or San Antonio or Texas or revolution or… you get my drift. And when in San Antonio, tell Paula Wanken “Howdy!”