On a bright and sunny day On the 18th of May An earthquake resulted in a landslide That unleashed a massive force brewing inside
The eruption removed the upper 1,300 feet The magma chamber burst, rock and gas blown at supersonic speed Within 8 miles, all was instantly wrecked With a shockwave so big, what could one expect?
As the north sl0pe collapsed down Life forms began to drown Every tree in sight swept away 19 miles outward; a ruinous ashtray
Silence breaks as ash falls like snow The once mature landscape now just an embryo What had become a lifeless terrain, Now shows us what 35 years can attain.
After the volcanic cataclysm Biological legacies determine the pace of new ecosystems The following colonizers proceed: Lupines, pearly everlasting, alder shrubs, and fireweed.
The coniferous forest was replaced The deciduous Alder trees won the race The new forest attracts grasshoppers, birds, and ants Larks, gophers, sparrows and deer mice take a chance
Out of 256 species alive prior to the eruption, 86 are now in production 20% of the surface is covered with grass and legumes Struggling young trees that endeavor to bloom
Ecological gaps begin to fill Strong ecosystems form, production is uphill. Elk arrives to munch on grass and bark The thick forests attract birds, like larks.
Fallen logs create nutrients and feed biofilm to the lake Floating ecosystems now have plenty resources to take Elevation affects the rate of recovery reports. The higher the colder, which means the growing season is short.
The loss of trees means more room for sun As the lake warms up, thereβs increased production More insects and bigger fish, like rainbow trout Salamanders are scarce now, not many about.
Lupines deserve their own stanza, those purple legumes. They help make a pumice landscape suitable for others to bloom. Lupines create essential nutrients the pumice is low on Other plants are thankful for the rare space to grow on.
All this information hopefully to inspire, Life pulls through in situations most dire. Mount Saint Helensβ destructive wake is seen clearly today, The eruption that obliterated had also paved a way.