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Open Poetry #18
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Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores

0 posted 2002-01-08 09:25 PM



Before The Tears

~*Marge Tindal*~

As far as the Native eye could see
resplendent land of luscious green
Water pure from mountains cascading
flowing full downstream

Fish, fowl and fauna
in abundance shared with all
Before the tears of the people
gathered and began to fall

Across the land - unto the hills
valleys stretched in endless array
Before the tears of my people
Before the land was taken away

There will come a day of reckoning
where the spirits are gathered still
A return of peaceful abundance
when no more tears are spilled

Gathered in the promises from the Kitchi Manitou
Before another tear is shed - from me or from you


*My ~Warrior~ ... this one is for you~

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

© Copyright 2002 Marge Tindal - All Rights Reserved
catalinamoon
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The Shores of Alone
1 posted 2002-01-08 09:49 PM


Very meaningful and lovely, Marge.
Sandra

Magnus
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2 posted 2002-01-08 09:55 PM


Think back to the days...before any of the
settlers...and I mean any...ever arrived..

Was America that peaceful then?? Or did
the indian tribes fight amongst themselves
too??

This is beautiful Marge...truly exceptional.
takes me back about two hundred years in
time.

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2002-01-09 01:07 AM


CatalinaMoon~
I appreciate knowing you found it thusly so~

Magnus~
There is no doubt in my mind that the days of peace were more abundant before the arrival of the 'settlers' from afar~
From the days of long ago ... I'm sure there was always a territorial battle to be settled.
The difference is that the Indian only used from the land what he needed ... and 'fighting' among themselves was mainly a necessity for survival~
The difference was that they didn't 'take' the land as the 'settlers' did~

Red Cloud (Makhipiya-luta) Sioux Chief said -

'They made us many promises, more than I can remember,
but they never kept but one.
They promised to take our land, and they did. '


Thanks for the interesting comment~
Made me search for Red Cloud's comment ...
and I love a good search~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

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

Interloper
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Deep in the heart
4 posted 2002-01-09 09:39 AM


It was probably heavenly when our land was pristine.  We have made so many mistakes (mostly out of ignorance, I hope) and have harmed this wonderful land to a great degree.

It is a shame what happened to the Native American, yet where would we be if we had not "conquered" this land from sea to shining sea?

Beautiful write, dear Marge.  Lovely images of a time long gone and, unfortunately, never to return.

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

suthern
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Louisiana
5 posted 2002-01-09 09:46 AM


I have often wondered
As I held in my hand
Artifacts from Choctaw
Who once walked my land -
Did I inherit
Through blood or theft?
I love my hills
But was someone bereft?
Cherokee blood
Flows through my vein;
Before my Dad's purchase
Did anyone deign
To buy the land
Where I'd eventually live?
Was it taken by force
Or did someone actually give
The owners full value?
These thoughts fill my mind
Though others would choose
To leave the past behind...
I can't help but wonder
When spirits whisper my name
If my presence brings pride?
They know they have claimed
My heart and ignited
A burning desire
To feel the breath of justice
Fuel the keeper's fire.

Forgive me, Marge... I'm not quite sure where that came from... Your beautiful poem touched me deeply and reminded me of a very special weekend... I was intending to say that no one could visit the land of "before the tears" and open their heart to the voices on the wind without accepting the need for that day of reckoning... when my fingers started typing. *S*

hoot_owl_rn
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since 1999-07-05
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Glen Hope, PA USA
6 posted 2002-01-09 09:57 AM


splendid
Dennis L. White
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since 2000-02-17
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Michigan, U.S.A.
7 posted 2002-01-09 11:25 AM


Marge,
  This poem honors the people who loved this land and respected it before it was taken away from them in the name of progress.  Your ancestors were a spirit filled people, noble and hard working. YES, tears should be still shed for the way they were treated.
Thanks for this thoughtful and insightful poem. Peace unto you, Dennis :^)

His Poet
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since 2001-12-18
Posts 750

8 posted 2002-01-09 11:36 AM


Wonderfully stated message, full of beauty and spirit; just as this country's ancestor's knew it. Cheryl
Logan
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since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641
Arkansas
9 posted 2002-01-09 01:32 PM


And the tears watered the land, to grow the crop of first, digust on what was gone, then came the hope of reclaiming what could be again, if only in small spots..and then the crop of what was in the heart to cherish all of what was...very well done, Little Goose...very gentle smile
Trillium
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10 posted 2002-01-09 02:05 PM


Marge:  What a stirring poem!  I love it! I often look at the country and wonder how it was before the white man came and changed everything! This gives me a glimpse.

Betty Lou Hebert

strbbux
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since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

11 posted 2002-01-09 02:12 PM


Marge this was wonderful.. I loved it and it made me think about how the Indian had their land taken from them, I have a friend who is an american Indian and she is sending me the ten commandments of the american Indian and I can't wait to read them. Nice poem. well written and moving. floria
Flutterwings
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Maine
12 posted 2002-01-09 04:00 PM


Marge, tears heal, and so is this meaningful work of art. Bravo! Love and peace Maggie ((~.~))


Charisma
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lost in blue pages
13 posted 2002-01-09 04:22 PM


Thank you for sharing dear Marge, your words moved my heart deeply. So much in common with my people.  A thread to my library.

((hugs))
Charisma

Charisma
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lost in blue pages
14 posted 2002-01-09 04:24 PM


oooops pushed the submit button to quickly. forgot the thread


Soaringeagle
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since 2000-12-06
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CANADA
15 posted 2002-01-09 06:49 PM


  MAIDEN MARGE
THIS BRINGS TEARS AND THOUGHTS
OF YESTERDAYS
AND MAY BE YOUR VERY BEST WRITE
BLESSINGS       WARRIOR

Titia Geertman
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since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182
Netherlands
16 posted 2002-01-09 08:03 PM



Beautiful poem Marge, I like your native verses very much

Titia

A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess...
Want to use the pics on my website? Just send me a mail and I'll give you the link.

Startime
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since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
17 posted 2002-01-09 08:07 PM


*sigh* this is so sad.......How I wish we could have left all the beauty and not tried so hard to claim so much. Such waste....there was so much lost not only in nature but loss to the people who took such good care of it. This poem brought tears to my soul. Thank you. **big hugs**

Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams.

SmartChick
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since 2001-09-23
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On A Journey To The Unknown
18 posted 2002-01-09 08:15 PM


Marge, your poems are always such a delight to read. This is just beautiful. I love the picture, too.
Marsha
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19 posted 2002-01-09 08:25 PM


Margie girl darling sister of my heart, when your spirits move to write with your pen they always produce tears of wonder in me. I can see the beauty of the land before the outsiders came. The rapers of land, the despoilers of forest, the desecraters of spirit. Your writing is always most powerful when your guides take you back with them.

Utterly utterly breathtaking. beautiful image too. Be still within the wind Margie girl and hear the spirits call, and blessed are we who hear them speak through you

Love this writing darling girl absolutely love it


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy


To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1


Marsha
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Maidstone Kent England
20 posted 2002-01-09 08:27 PM


Forgot to add it to my library
whhops xxxx


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy


To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1


The Rusty Knight
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since 2001-08-29
Posts 414
Texas
21 posted 2002-01-09 11:52 PM


Every poet has a subject that is written on their heart and no mattere how good everything else is, when they write about this subject the magic always comes through...Marge this is your magic.

Dan

KokoStewartKoomoa
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since 2000-12-04
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Waikiki, Hawaii
22 posted 2002-01-10 04:27 AM


THIS HAS MEANING TO ME AS NEVER BEFORE. I AM ENGAGED TO A NATIVE AMERICAN MAN AND HAVE FELT THIS IN HIS STORIES AS TOLD TO ME...SAD.....SAD STUFF, MY FRIEND...LOVE, KOKO

Aloha with warmest regards, Koko
Please Visit my new web-page
http://www.koko-stewart-koomoa.cityslide.com/contents/contents.cfm/190111

ethome
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since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
23 posted 2002-01-10 06:43 AM


This really says a lot Marge.
It's absolutely beautiful!

Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
24 posted 2002-01-10 10:32 AM


InterLoper~
Sweet friend ... we cherish the land that the blood of the American Indian is washed in~
We need to remember that 'there was a place - a special place' ...
There WILL be a 'return'

SuthernGal~
This is a *gift* from the Spirits to your heart~
That is a special reason for us to be quiet and listen~
Thank you dearest lady~

HootieGal~
Thank you so much~

Dennis~
It brings a special glow to know you've read and enjoyed~
The tears remember the times when peace was among us ... may it someday be again~
Thank you dear friend~

HisPoet~
Thank you so much~

Logan~
Within the heart of the 'keepers' there is a
'guardian' that holds the truths for sharing with others~

BettyLou~
Thank you dear lady~

Strbbux~
We all need to make the time to know of the losses of the past~
Thank you so much~

FlutterWings~
You are wonderful ... thank you so much~

Charisma~
Thank you darling friend~
I know that this subject is special to you also~

SoaringEagle~
My ~Warrior~ ... you have always been such peaceful inspire to my heart~
I love you~

Titia~
Thank you my sweet friend~

StarTime~
Yes .. we must remember the tears that were shed and hold them close to our hearts~

SmartChick~
Thank you, sweetie~

MarshaLove~
I love sharing the *gifts* the spirits bring to me~
Thank you for enjoying them also~

RustyKnight~
What a wonderfully encouraging reply~
I appreciate it very much~

KoKo~
How wonderful to see you here and you bring such delightful news~
Congratulations sweetie~

ETHome~
I thank you always my sweet friend~
*HUGS TO ALL*
~*Marge*~


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

Martie
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California
25 posted 2002-01-10 01:32 PM


Marge--When you write the tears of these memories..you touch a place that hurts and heals.  Heart hugs to you, dear friend.
Enchantress
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since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
26 posted 2002-01-10 01:48 PM


Marge, this is a sad yet marvelous write.  You always pen these Native Anerican pieces so beautifully and hit them right on.  Enjoyed so much.
~Hugs, Nancy~

~* A dream is a wish your heart makes... *~

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