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Raven, I Am Going To Die
| Open Poetry #9 |
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Raven, I Am Going To Die |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
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Raven, I Am Going To Die "Raven, I am going to die. Fly away." (1) Rain in the Morning, cool to fevered, pustulated skin, death to those who lay in it for relief, those stuck down with the white plague; I am wounded, my face rotten so even wolves turn away, wounded by those I befriended and called brother. I do not fear death; I fear for the wives, children, brothers, sisters, I fear for all I hold dear, for all who are dead, or dying from the white man's pox, this plague that's worse than any torture on earth. Raven, I am going to die, my spirit will fly away, fly away, fly… a w a y w. james beard, jr. (1) - Mandan Song to the Raven Note: This poem is loosely based on a speech by Ma-to-toh-pe, "Four Bears", Chief of the Mandans, as he lay dying of Small Pox. Of 1600 tribal members, 31 survived, decimating the Mandan people. (Speech found in "The Trail Of Tears" by Gloria Jahoda) [This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 09-03-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
James what an intense read, excellently written powerful words..I am left in silent awe. "cool to fevered, pustulated skin, death to those who lay in it for relief, those stuck down with the white plague; I am wounded, my face rotten so even wolves turn away, wounded by those I befriended and called brother" "I concede relationships have left me weak Won't be here so I don't care Look for something worthy to replace my guilt" Mansun legacy |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Oh, James~ You touched my spirited heart with this one. I cry the tears of the past for the sorrow and the pain ... Oh, how they trusted ... Oh, how they paid. Chief Four Bears was one of the most respected of men. Beautifully rendered, my friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
White man's pox - indeed scourged and pillaged a nation. This is very well done, James.. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Very intensely written James! You've expressed this individual's last moments well, and with great impact ... well done!  Best wishes, /Kit |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Thank you Marge, Nan and Kit. Have done a lot of reading on American Indians and it has really been interesting. I find the best accounts are in the older books too. jwesley |
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