El Dorado, name for “the golden one”

The legendary city, state

And empire that’s covered

With gold and a chief

immersed in gold dust

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With this dream

Spanish Conquistadores

Scoured a number 

Of Latin American countries

Sailing up the Amazon River

Determined to turn

A legend into reality

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What they found 

Were Indians using gold

In religious festivals

But no golden cities 

That were known in myths

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In 1541, explorers

Like Francisco Oreallana.

And Gonzalo Pizzaro

Departed Quito

On their trip

Followed by Sir Walter Raleigh

In 1595, sailing up the Orinoco River

To the country which is today 

Known as Guyana

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El Dorado attracted the attention

Of many writers like

Milton, Voltaire, John Conrad

And Edgar Allan Poe

In 1956, John Wayne starred

In the movie “El Dorado”

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It has taken on the dimension

Of a “Holy Grail”

Through its metaphor

It’s used to signify

Love, beauty, happiness

Or success 

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