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Open Poetry #45
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Johan
Member
since 2009-05-13
Posts 88
Lincolnshire, England U.K.

0 posted 2009-07-23 10:40 AM



Valley of the Buffalo

The track to Ulundi
From the wetlands of the Bashee
Rose the saddle of Isandhlwana
To the large and stony Koppie
And the Nkandhla Range
Bounded by the Malakata and Inhlazatye
Down to the Buffalo
Where the hills of Natal
Cross the wide and shallow Donga's
And the rivers cross the plain
Beyond the conical Koppie's
And the round thatched Rondavil's
Run the trickling silver rivers
That was Matyana's stronghold
Where women harvested the grain
And his Impi thousand strong
Had washed their spears
In the blood of the enemy they had slain.

© Copyright 2009 Andrew Shiston - All Rights Reserved
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
1 posted 2009-07-23 11:45 AM


This is very impressive, dear Johan!
Why blood is still shed on the blessed ground of Earth is incomprehensible ... what a contrast you created to the beauty of harvesting women.

Love,
Margherita

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
2 posted 2009-07-23 11:51 AM


so cool to go there
and not go there..

enjoyed it!!

Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
3 posted 2009-07-23 02:10 PM


It always amazes me that such beauty in this world, also can carry very ugly scars.  Beautifully told.

Carpe' Diem,
Mysteria

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2009-07-24 03:16 PM


Oh, how lovely to read of my own beloved country (and not so far away from where I live, either).  That battle was long ago and as terrible as battles are, all is forgiven which is a good thing, and pretty much forgotten which is not such a good thing, but then you told the tale, which again is a good thing.

Owl

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2009-07-24 06:21 PM


Enjoyed...James
Heart2Heart
Senior Member
since 2009-05-15
Posts 738
Scotland/Norway
6 posted 2009-07-25 01:03 AM


I remember this poem very well Johan, only one who has been there for some time can write so splendidly.  So very well done my friend.
Love
Katriona

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
7 posted 2009-07-25 06:38 AM


You take us by the hand on a scenic journey through the splendor of Gaia's landscape.
Then you artfully gift us with the image of women rhythmically swinging long blades while harvesting grain,
against the image of the swing of a death-yielding sword, but end with a cleansing.

A powerful succinct write.  

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