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Ghost dance
| Open Poetry #43 |
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Ghost dance |
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TheAnonDavid Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237UK 
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Let me sing this song of freedom, Sung for you my son and daughter, From the raging mountain rivers To the crystal pools of water; From the warmth of summer daylight To the night when all breath freezes; From the eagle's mountain dwelling To the grassland's gentle breezes; Let my voice be heard like thunder As we sing this song together; Let our voices cross the tall grass, Cross the tall grass and the heather. As the Great One rides the West Wind, Rides the West Wind and rejoices So the spirits of our fathers Listen to our joyful voices. Come my daughter from the shadows Come my son into the firelight; Join the ghost dance with our fathers, Join the ghost dance in the twilight. Let all nations dance the ghost dance, Let each person dance with others, Let each person share the ghost dance, Let us all dance with our brothers. Dance and you will be immortal Death will hasten past and miss you; Come and dance and live forever, Dance and let the spirits kiss you. Once again our land will echo, Echo to our birthright moving, While our fathers gaze in wonder, Gaze in wonder yet approving. Count the sands in all the deserts, Count the stars up in the dark night, Look unto the far horizons See the sun ablaze at midnight. Listen to the song my children As it welcomes your tomorrow, Join the ghost dance with our fathers, Join the ghost dance, end your sorrow. Let us sing our song of freedom Let us see the spirits' portal; Join the ghost dance now my children Join the ghost dance, be immortal. Notes on the ghost dance. The ghost dance movement started among the North American Indians in the late nineteenth century. First introduced by a shaman (medicine man) called Wovoka it spread as the tribes came under more and more pressure from the U.S. government which regularly reneged on land deals.. The ghost dance followers believed that the dance would bring back their ancestors, that the buffalo (their birthright) would return to the plains, that there should be no discrimination between nations and that dancers were immune to bullets. Many started to wear "ghost shirts" which they believed deflected bullets. Both men and women could take part unlike in many other traditional dances. The movement virtually died out after the massacre of Wounded Knee in 1890 where about 300 of the Lakota Sioux were killed by the 7th cavalry; about twenty five of the soldiers died, many it is believed as a result of what we call today "friendly fire". Sadly, the ghost shirts proved ineffective. The ghost dance has not been forgotten, however, and some tribes still retain it in their cultures. For what it is worth, the above poem is my humble tribute. [This message has been edited by TheAnonDavid (09-02-2008 06:19 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2008 David M M (UK) - All Rights Reserved | |||
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wow |
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Bonnie j Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588Ohio |
We have a lovely lady on this site who writes about Indians and their culture and beauty. She is a bit under the weather right now. Maybe you have read her work. Her name is Marge Tindal. I don't have her link to her Indian poetry, but maybe someone else does. Another beauty you have penned for us. Hugs Bonbon  |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...James |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo TheAnonDavid, Yes, dancing ghosts have always been a big problem here in the United States. They rank right up there with talking walls. Bobby |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
This American Indian Girl Thanks you for such a beautiful tribute! My ancestors were American Indian Love and Hugs~ ~ARH   |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
quote: Impressive work, very very beautifully done, dear David. You succeeded in profoundly permeating your poem with the spirit of Native Americans. Enjoyed this much. Love, Margherita "Love is the One who masters all things; |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Your "humble tribute" to the American Indians and their Ghost Dance, is a magnificent piece of impassioned, empathetic writing! I also appreciated reading the information that you included. A very fine write in both content and form!  Love & Native Light, EA  |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Very much enjoyed the poem and the background to it, thank you for sharing. Rick |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I knew it, I KNEW it, I KNEW IT! There was such a flavour of Longfellow's Hiawatha all the way through (and that is one of my very, very favourite poems, all 23 chapters of it), I just knew it had to be about North American Indians. The history you related below is so sad and horrifying. The poem is very, very beautiful in every possible way. I loved it. Thank you for such a wonderful experience. - Owl |
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TheAnonDavid Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237UK |
Thanks to you all for your marvellous comments. I am pleased that I appear to have grasped the elements of part of a culture that is many miles away from me. Admittedly it is a culture and a history that fascinates me and one for which I feel empathy. When I decided to write this it seemed natural to use trochaic meter but it was a challenge to maintain feminine rhymes. The pleasure was in the writing and, if there is pleasure in reading it, then that is a bonus. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Dylan Thomas |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Okay, I am putting your poems in my library. This is amazing and you told the story perfectly even if you had not included an explanation. I loved the explanation too though - and I think that our Marge is going to love this poem. Mind if I send it on to her? Alison |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I enjoyed this very much, David. My mother was also (half) Native American.(Creek) You did a very fine job here. Ida |
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TheAnonDavid Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237UK |
Everyone's kind words continue to bowl me over. Alison, I have no objection to your forwarding this to Madge (I don't know her but someone earlier has mentioned her). Thank you once again to all of you for the great encouragement and I will take pleasure in reading everyone's poetry as time progresses. Do not go gentle into that good night. |
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