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Open Poetry #14
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Sunshine
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2001-06-19 01:29 PM


What the White Man Will Never Know

The wind shifts,
buffeting its echo in my ear,
matching the rhythm of my heart beat
matching my steps 'cross the grasslands
my spirit is beside me in the
eagle's screech,
and the prick of the rose's thorn.

The white man does not know the land,
only what he takes from it;
he does not know the center
of his universe,
only what he makes of it.

When the wind shifts
he knows not
what the animals know
and he does not listen
to his heart beat,

nor does he walk
'cross the grasslands
no spirit is beside him
and although the eagle screeches,
he only sees blood
when the rose's thorn pricks.

I sit beside the water's edge
touching the mountain's wealth
of winter's splendor
come down to me.

The white man does
not know the water,
only defecates in its bounty,
thinking only to cleanse himself
in purity.

The wind shifts,
buffeting its echo,
matching the rhythm
of long ago steps that crossed the grasslands
a spirit is in the eagle's screech,
and the prick of the rose's thorn.

©KRJ
9 May, 2000

© Copyright 2001 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

1 posted 2001-06-19 01:31 PM


The Elders say
we live on a wheel,
One that stays the same
As we journey life
In circles.

Traveling from East
To South, west to north
We should honor all
That has traveled
Before us.

Looking now at
Mountains and prairie
I can see in the silence
And passing clouds
The path they followed.

Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
2 posted 2001-06-19 01:41 PM


Sunshine-Thank you for your wonderful poem. I have always had a tremendous respect and admiration for the American Indians, who have lived in harmony with nature and have a greater knowledge and appreciation for nature then we as "white men" will ever know.
inot2B
Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205
Arkansas
3 posted 2001-06-19 01:47 PM


So true! We need to remember how we treated those who came before us to this great land.
Someday we may be in the same position when someone comes to take over what we took unfairly from the American Indian.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

4 posted 2001-06-19 01:52 PM


The wind shifts,
buffeting its echo,
matching the rhythm
of long ago steps that crossed the grasslands
a spirit is in the eagle's screech,
and the prick of the rose's thorn.
===================================

thank you for this one...
wisdom and truth...
well done poetess sun..........





ONLY AFTER THE LAST TREE HAS BEEN CUT DOWN,
ONLY AFTER THE LAST RIVER HAS BEEN POISONED,
ONLY AFTER THE LAST FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT,
ONLY THEN WILL YOU FIND THAT MONEY CANNOT BE EATEN.

CREE INDIAN PROPHECY

Interloper
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Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
5 posted 2001-06-19 02:30 PM


Well, not all white men ... then or now.
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
6 posted 2001-06-19 03:24 PM


This speaks to my soul.

~*~ Tell someone you love them today, as tomorrow may never come ~*~

Auguste
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Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
7 posted 2001-06-19 04:17 PM


I know exactly what you are saying here and you are correct.  Being half Cherokee this spoke loudly to me.  Thank you for this.

Michael

Michael Auguste~
There is more depth to the heart than the human mind can comprehend and it only has boundaries when we choose to fence it in.  

illusion
Member
since 2001-06-19
Posts 296

8 posted 2001-06-19 04:29 PM


As the winds shift, more come to know, more grieve injustices, more resolve to give the respect deserved for so long. This is excellent.
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
9 posted 2001-06-19 04:33 PM


Indeed.


Well done, Sunshine.
Michael

OLIAS
Senior Member
since 2000-06-20
Posts 1090
Pearl city Iowa
10 posted 2001-06-19 06:21 PM


A lesson I fear we may never learn, very thought provoking write. I enjoyed Thank you,

Regards,
Olias.

Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
11 posted 2001-06-19 08:00 PM


Sunshine, I have tried for years to find some Indian blood in me......alas..there is none. I feel for the Indian and all the whhite have done to them.  Too bad we didn't learn more of the good and useful.  Some day.......  ME
Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
12 posted 2001-06-19 08:02 PM



I applaud you for this, it's so well written and powerful!~

Take care,
Melissa~

Logan
Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641
Arkansas
13 posted 2001-06-19 08:12 PM


Ahhh, Sister, but the keeper of the fires of the Elders does, nice read...gentle smile
pres56
Junior Member
since 2001-06-09
Posts 28

14 posted 2001-06-19 08:35 PM


thought provoking poem.
pres

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
15 posted 2001-06-20 06:44 AM


I once stood at Little Bighorn....I felt what you are saying...I am very proud to carry some Cherokee in my veins...very little to be sure...but its enough....
Marge Tindal
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
16 posted 2001-06-20 06:52 AM


Karilea~
always . . .
*Hugs*
~*WillowWhiteFeather*~

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

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
17 posted 2001-06-20 03:49 PM


Kari dearest sister of my heart, I love this one, always you have spiritual beauty. And here it is abundant your talent spills over love.

Wonderful as always dear heart,   I really do think this is superb
Take care
love as always
Puck
    

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



autumn
Junior Member
since 2001-06-08
Posts 44
Maine
18 posted 2001-06-20 04:17 PM


So beautiful and soul stirring. Enjoyed.
walker
Member Elite
since 2001-02-11
Posts 2240
Florida
19 posted 2001-06-21 01:29 PM


Beautiful!
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