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Open Poetry #14
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Talking Leaves
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Talking Leaves |
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Trillium 
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA 
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Talking Leaves  He was born in misty mountains, In the state called Tennessee And his father was a white man, But his mother, Cherokee. He had two names. George Gist was one. Sequoyah was the other. He walked with one foot in each world And called both sides his brother. He was a silversmith by trade And he asked a friend who knew, To teach him how to sign his name On things he made and soon he knew A vision faithfully pursued. A dream of education, Where Cherokee would learn to read. It filled him with elation! For many years he toiled away Through trials and tribulation, To come up with an alphabet That he could give his Nation. When it was done the People found Learning it went very well. It wasn't long at all until Cherokee could read and spell. So they wrote a constitution For each clan to govern by. Became involved in politics And thought they'd like to try Establishing a newspaper, So each day would bring the news. For exchanging information And the airing of one's views. Sequoyah opened up a world That they hungered to explore. It was a tool that they could use, To gain a beckoning shore. They called his method, "Talking Leaves", Because, as they used to say, "The white man talks with paper leaves, But the wind blows them away!" Sequoyah Cherokee Notable 1776-1843 Betty Lou Hebert |
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| © Copyright 2001 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
very nice history lesson put to verse... An Enjoyable and "substantive" read. |
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Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
Trillium this is so beautiful. Today I have started to find the tribes 2 of my grandchildren belong to. I am so proud of their Indian blood but their father and family have no desire to know. Wish me luck and I hope I can one day write something like this about their family of Indians. ME |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Ah!, This is a wonderful poem and a captivating story I learned so much WEll done Liz |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Cpat Hair: Thanks for reading and commenting. Marge Tindal found the picture for me on this, for which I am grateful. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Mother Earth: I truly do wish you luck. It is something to be proud of I would think. I have a daughter-in-law who is 1/4 Cherokee and she was not raised to enjoy her heritage. Even now, she is only slowly coming to appreciate it. I keep working on her! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Liz: I appreciate your comments. Marge helped out with the background color and picture which does enhance the poem I think. I enjoy your poetry so much, it gives me pleasure to have written something you like! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
This was simply lovely. I really enjoyed your presentation of this historical story. Thank you. "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
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Nate Dogg Senior Member
since 1999-11-15
Posts 1658Georgia, Fulton |
Wow, a brilliant historical lesson....I also found this inspirational......very nice job!! Nathan [This message has been edited by Nate Dogg (edited 06-27-2001).] |
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Suetang Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187Melbourne, Australia |
Betty Lou This was an outstanding piece of writing, your words literally came to life...I loved every word. Take care.....Sue Suetang |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Mysteria: Thank you for your nice comments. I'm glad you approve of the presentation of this story. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Nate Dogg: I appreciate your comments and glad that this poem was enjoyable for you. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Sue: Glad to hear from you and thanks for your nice remarks about the poem. I really enjoyed writing it. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
And no wonder they named a giant tree after this giant of a man. |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
This is marvelous..........I write a lot from this perspective my self...... Off The Trail Of Painted Ponies "On a cool night in October, when the night worms weave and crawl I was dealing with my anger, I was hiding from my faults. And my soul was running rancid, feeling kind of bleak, So I looked out through my window, past the day lacking peace, and I fell into a liquidness and nursed my inner child I was searching for some righteousness, I'd been searching for awhile. Then I heard a song Arapahoe, an Indian through my glass The story of a gallant chief whose days were long since past. His words were growing louder now, my eyes began to stray. My muse was breathing harder now, as the daylight flew away A troop hard riding, bluecoat boys, came in upon the scene Their Captain calling orders fast, with dust clouds billowing. Then I stroked my whiskered chin a bit, and drank in the sky's ink When you're out there in that wonder, you just can't refuse to think. I was floating through a timeless glass, up to the king of hearts I was getting close to reasons begged, somewhere inside the stars. And then a smiling maiden's eyes would lead me to the source She laughed lightly on my ears part of his music score. There I felt the wealth of nature, I soared outside of me I was heading to that distant land, within my summary peace. Well the warrior chief sang his song, "You'll find peace a ways behind me, Better listen to these tales I quote, and I'll tell what is free No use hoping for a future, if there's no looking back, Cause you know you're going nowhere, and how long can that last? You're off the trail of painted ponies and you can't see the spots and you're heading into danger learning greed is always loss." Then I got feeling so empty, when the Captain killed this chief And I cried removed from yesterday, but still searching for that peace Off the trail of painted ponies where I can't see the spots On the last road with my fellow man and I was feeling lost. by Eric True |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
Trillium, I am surprised that one Passionate member hasn't seen this yet.... but I can take care of that! Enjoyed this VERY much... |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Enjoyed revisiting the history of Sequoyah, very well done! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SweetSisterOfTheCircle~ You have done the people proud. In the rendering of the tale of Sequoyah/Sequoia you've touched many hearts here. There is much in the tellings ... and you have done it well. One more page of history shared. That is the mission the spirits in circle would have us do ... You know how reverently I hold this legend of a man ... I thank you for sharing it with others. May you continue to be blessed in your seeking. ~*WillowWhiteFeather*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Interloper: Thank you so much. I haven't revealed all of his life story by any means. He would have made his mark in any society I think. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Eric: Thanks for reading and remarking on my poem. It was good of you to share your own poem with me and the others who will read the remarks here. Certainly an interesting story! Betty Lou Hebert |
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snowpants Member Elite
since 2000-09-16
Posts 2061KS |
Wonderfully told, Trillium...thanks for sharing this story with us! I truly enjoyed this... sp  it was love that first drew me, |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Decaflame: Thanks much! If I am thinking of the same person you are, she has already seen the poem, via e-mail and actually helped me by posting it and supplying the art work! Wasn't that generous? I wanted her approval before I posted. I am pleased with the response. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
VAS: Thanks so much for commenting and glad you enjoyed it. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
snowpants: Thanks for reading and commenting. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Marge: It gave me great pleasure to be able to write a poem about Sequoyah, that met with your approval. Thanks again for you help in posting and accompanying art work. I feel priviliged to be called "sister of the circle" and thank you for that too. Betty Lou Hebert |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Your critique flag asks for honesty so I'll be brutally honest... I loved this! LOL You've woven the life of a great man into a beautiful poem... I recognized the title phrase and hoped for a great tribute... you did not disappoint. *S* Well done! |
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dgvarner Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552High Springs, Florida |
that was interesting  i didnt know about all that..very well written too! hugs, g "If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend." |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Amazing.....I've heard the story before, but not as beautifully told as this. Loved it! |
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illusion Member
since 2001-06-19
Posts 296 |
I enjoyed this very much. I've greatly admired your subject for a long time, but it's not often I read history written so poetically. |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
suthern: Thanks so much for your high praise! I enjoyed this poem, even though I wondered at the time if I were up to the task. Your remarks are very reassuring. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
dgvarner: Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm glad it touched on something you didn't know and glad that it was an enjoyable read. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Liz: Thank you very much for your comments. I am happy you liked this. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
illusion: Thank you! I'm glad this "history lesson" was enjoyable for you. I've long wanted to write about him, but felt a little daunted by the story. However, after talking to Marge Tindal, decided to give it a try and I'm happy to see the response. Betty Lou Hebert |
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