I have been there to Virtopia and walked her forests cool

I have soaked my blistered feet in clean, clear waters in her pools

I have seen the raven flying and nesting in her trees

the wonders found in this great land have brought me to my knees

I saw the stag a-running fast thru the shadowed dells

and saw the wolf chasing close nipping at his heels

there is enough in this great land for man as well as beast

No one starves, the King is good to the wealthy and the least

The government of this fair land has taken to account

the importance of all things that Our Lord has brought about

no foolish destruction of creatures that have helped this world to be

a place enriched by all of life, geared toward eternity

Should it not be real? this haven, a world filled with many peoples

where they can spend their time in good instead of spent in evil

I say to man this is the way, you must work to realize good

WE two and our children have traveled far and wide

to find a haven of retreat, a place we might reside

away from mutilation of all of nature's gifts

from oil spills and blow-em-ups and deforesting face lifts

We have carried all our luggage upon our tired backs

our feet are sore and blistered from walking on a track

of many miles, through dense woods, o'er hills and deepest streams

to find the land Virtopia, just a shadow in our dreams

It's difficult to say the least to leave a place called home

to leave your friends and family for places yet unknown

to run from territories, places near your heart

is hard to do for anyone, while insides wrench apart

But here they say is peace to find in all the hills and vales

you will become accustomed by following the trails

to all the shops and neighbors homes that you might want to see

warmed by the sun as you walk or shaded by the trees

I didn't have the time to bring what I will miss the most

the bed of lilies in my yard of which I'd yearly boast

they made me glow to see them when bud opened into flower

I'd sit and watch them dreamily while reclining in the bower

There was something about those lilies that demanded my affections

their pale green naked stalks stood high their faces drew attentions

their color, it was heaven sent, a gentle pink of rarest hue

in early morn droplets would form made of the purest dew

You say they grow here wild and free to bring to beds to rest?

I believe I'll die of joy to find myself so blessed

the lilies are the sweetest gift that nature did invent

come creeping up in early spring, delivered heaven sent

Virtopia, Virtopia, the name does have a ring

of peacefulness about it, a place where children play and sing

of all the things that stimulate their sweet and childish minds

an original poem written by RSBlain 3/9/1999

A heavy snow has fallen through the quiet night

while I was lying dreaming, it fell to earth just right

it has covered all existing growth, it lies heavy on the ground

mother earth adorned in white in nature's dressing gown

The depth is reaching awesome and is hard to navigate

the earth in all her glory is becoming quite opaque

the flakes are big and showy, they fall gently on my face

all in designer patterns, and are all the finest lace

The air is still and quiet, earth's light is soft and low

more like the light that you might see when fog is hanging low

more like the veil of softness that hangs over mountain peak

where moon and stars play in the clouds at games of hide and seek

And tonight when moon is full and snow storm has drifted by

a fantasy of crystals will in frozen forests lie

awaiting in the silence for the tread of hooves or feet

of those come to see the splendor of this place where fairies meet

"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift was given"

words describing Jesus birth, transcending earth and heaven

to see the wonder of this night with snow in all its glory

gives to me, new understanding, when I read that ancient story

Let it snow, I love it, I love every little flake

soft and white through the night, it will slowly make

a dream to view when awake and working at my chores