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Open Poetry #11
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Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores

0 posted 2000-11-26 09:02 PM



Joshua's Tree
~*White Feather*~



The little Indian boy
standing straight and tall
didn't recognize the signs coming
of the great fall

Joshua Little Tree stood
on the plains that day
wondering why they had
to walk so far away

Traipsing through the snow
along the wind-covered trail
was almost enough to
cause him to wail

He walked and walked
until he could walk no more
He lay down in the snow
adding to the score

When you walk along
The Trail Of Tears today
Joshua's Tree is there to remind you
of the price he had to pay

Standing straight and tall
a fitting memorial he leaves
A reminder of the Indian boy
history cannot retreive

But gaze at the tree
standing by the trail
when the wind blows cold,
listen,
you can hear Joshua's wail


*One hundred sixty two years later -
the horrendous acts are still recalled.
The Trail Of Tears haunts the memory
of American Indians forever.

Mitakuye Oyasin...We are all related!





~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

© Copyright 2000 Marge Tindal - All Rights Reserved
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
1 posted 2000-11-26 09:05 PM


Marge, I've read a bit about this and it's a horrific tale. You've told it well from a young child's eye...very sad.
Witch's Brat
Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 100

2 posted 2000-11-26 10:09 PM


It hurts to read things like this. You told Joshua's story so well, Marge.

W.B.

I am a disturbed person, and I write about disturbed people. ~Tennessee Williams

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
3 posted 2000-11-26 10:13 PM


This is a beautiful tribute to a heartbreaking situtation. You have done very well to make all who read this feel the heartbreak of it. Thank you so very much for the read.

Love I leave with you my friend whether it be in your life or of yet the essense of your dreams. [URL=http://path2riches.com]http://path2riches.com

Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments
4 posted 2000-11-26 10:27 PM


This is so sad and so moving Marge...the tale of the Trail of Tears is a horrific one indeed...exellent work of reminding us of the results when we do not care for one another.

*Krista Knutson*

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
Helen Keller


Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
5 posted 2000-11-26 10:29 PM


Marge~

What a unique perspective on a tale that should never be forgotten.  Although it hurts to remember, we must never forget.  Well done, my friend.  

LW


Poetry should surprise by fine excess...it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts and appear almost a remembrance. -J.Keats

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
6 posted 2000-11-26 10:34 PM



Marge-
   how i love when you write about the
   'Trail of Tears'...every word comes
   from your heart, and pours out
   through your pen.    
   You never fail to bring the emotions
   to life as if it had happened yesterday.
   thank you for sharing this, my friend.

   love and hugs,
   -vicky




"...until you have read the verse on his
heart, you have not truely met the poet."
-vlraynes



kitkat
Senior Member
since 2000-01-11
Posts 878
Nova Scotia
7 posted 2000-11-27 01:17 AM


Marge, this was very well written. Everyone should remember the history of our country. Good and bad. Thank-you for reminding us.
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
8 posted 2000-11-27 02:00 AM


PoetdeVine~
Thanks for your reply.
It is certainly a piece of history that
is worth studying.

WitchesBrat~
Thank you for your caring reply.
Joshua was but one of the thousands who died
on that awful winter trek.

StarTime~
Thank you for feeling this piece.

Krista~
Appreciate your kind reply.
So very many American Indians died in the cold march,
driven from their own land for reasons of greed.

LoneWolf~
Thank you, my friend.
I know you have compassionate understanding.

Vicky~
I am but a messenger of the words of my forefathers.
We cannot forget those who paid with their lives.
Yes, my friend -
the words are pulled from my heart with great sorrow.
Thank you for understanding.
Here is a link that I know you will find interesting, my sister.
http://rosecity.net/tears/

KitKat~
Thank you for reading and for your kind reply.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
9 posted 2000-11-27 02:48 AM


Oh Marge my heart feels so down when I read these things and inhumanity of that whole historical record...I can't even imagine what those people went through in the freezing cold and the injuries inflicted on them by the white man...I laugh when I hear some people talk about the battle of Little Bighorn.....but the fact always remains that two wrongs never make a right....I am of Scottish and British descent but I lean toward the Scottish because if you look back into the historical records you will always find that the British were without a doubt the cruelest people on the face of the earth at the time and you know I don't care who reads this...they can behead me if they want.
Great poem Marge!! and a wonderful tribute to your people and a reflection on the only freedom that was in existence before the invasion...I am a over zealous when it comes down to being a part of the land...loved James Michner's novel....Centennial... the best to you Marge......ethome

Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187
St. Paul, MN
10 posted 2000-11-27 11:38 AM


Poignantly sad tale, Marge. I had heard of the Joshua tree before but never the story behind it. The Trail of Tears and all our oppression of both Native American and other ethnic groups was a horrible time in our nations history, but one we should never forget lest history repeat itself. Wonderful writing, Marge, you evoked the spirit of little Joshua and his sadness.

Abrahm Simons

"I'm not sick, but I'm not well, and I'm so hot, cause I'm in Hell." - Harvey Danger


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2000-11-27 11:41 AM


I know the story, but your rendering gave me chills...

Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...
I would rather be silent and write, than speak loudly and be bound.
KRJ




dragonpoe
Senior Member
since 2000-11-12
Posts 608
Palm Bay, Florida
12 posted 2000-11-27 11:43 AM


Your poem is wonderful, sad and moving, I must find the story of this Joshua's Tree and read it.


With the word, I am mighty, with the pen I am free..
dragonpoe

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
13 posted 2000-11-27 11:47 AM


Just know this really struck deep
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
14 posted 2000-11-27 06:57 PM


One of your most beautiful Marge, and touches my heart deep.


jwesley

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
15 posted 2000-11-27 07:20 PM


Marge this has me in tears, you have written this so wonderfully I could feel this deep in my soul. Unfortunately I cannot claim any other blood than pure english, I only wish I could. I choose anything other I would really. This is such a pure piece, it's a brilliant write.
We didn't let us do American History, I went to a very weird school we only did Womens History.
Beautiful write
take care
               Marsha
                  


Take back the hope you gave,- I claim
Only a memory of the same
Robert Browning

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
16 posted 2000-11-27 07:27 PM


Marge- YOu make this tragic happening even more real with this lovely poem of a child..I'm so glad to know you!
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
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Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
17 posted 2000-11-27 08:32 PM


ETHome~
I am so glad to hear of your compassion for others.
Hugs to you, my friend and my thanks.

DuskTreader~
Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my writing.

Karilea~
Thank you, hon.
So sad that I have these tales to tell.
But, they are brought to me to share.

DragonPoe~
My little Cherokee, Joshua, existed in the
hundreds and perhaps thousands of children
who died along the Trail Of Tears.
He lives in the spirit of the wind that
rustles the leaves along the trail.

Paula~
Thank you.  
Then I have done what I must do -
keep their memory alive.

JWesley~
And you know I appreciate your thoughts
and the read.

Marsha~
We are ONE !
Human kindness is what sets us apart from
those of the days of which I write.
Please go to the link listed in my first reply
and read of my people.
Thank you for your compassionate thoughts.

Martie~
Oh, my friend - you touch my heart with your
love and understanding.
Thank you, my sister.
~*Marge*~
< !signature-->

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
                       noles1@totcon.com       


[This message has been edited by Marge Tindal (edited 11-27-2000).]

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

18 posted 2000-11-27 09:05 PM


This is very touching, Marge. Very well expressed!

Denise

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