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Open Poetry #22
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Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA

0 posted 2002-09-24 11:36 PM



They took away our mountains-
Our deserts and our plains...
And then they took our heritage-
And only left the pain.

Our young men fall to drink and drugs-
Our girls are all ashamed...
To show the color of their skins,
And bear the People's name.

But sometimes of an evening-
When the sun is sinking low...
I'll take my rifle and I'll walk,
And toward the sunset go.

I look into the mirror-
And seldom need to shave...
The features that stare back at me,
Might be a Cheyenne brave.

My hair though it is greying now-
Was once so coarse and black.
And lines have carved by copper cheeks,
Where sorrow leaves it's track.

No doubt the land of shadows-
Will wait till I arrive...
Where buffalo are running free,
And Indians still thrive.

Where there will be no railroad-
No highways, cities, towns:
And I may walk with head held high,
When my last sun goes down.

© Copyright 2002 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved
the_loner_23
Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
1 posted 2002-09-24 11:38 PM


Awesome

Cold hands means a warm heart

Radrook
Senior Member
since 2002-08-09
Posts 648

2 posted 2002-09-25 04:52 PM


Very well written!
In the traditional style too!
This poem is fit for a Native American Poetry anthology!

Irie
Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493
Washington State
3 posted 2002-09-25 05:32 PM


This is twice now I have read of "Native American" today.
Is there something I am missing?

I truly enjoyed this slinger.
Made me see a few things differently.

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

kindredlibra
New Member
since 2002-07-10
Posts 3
WA USA
4 posted 2002-09-25 05:39 PM


thanks for giving me a perspective I cannot have.  too bad the powers that be still haven't learned much.
Crazy Eddie
Member
since 2002-09-14
Posts 178

5 posted 2002-09-25 08:03 PM



Very smoothly crafted, it was easy reading which isn’t easily achieved when using rhyme, there’s often a temptation to sacrifice meaning to make the line endings fit but you’ve managed to avoid that brilliantly and it shows.

Thank you for the chance to read and reply.  

Miah
Senior Member
since 2002-08-26
Posts 1062
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2002-09-25 09:25 PM


Wonderfully written.  
Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
7 posted 2002-09-25 09:41 PM




(big hugggssssss) Oh John, this is so very sad and true indeed, I still weep for my ancestors who were forced exodus from their lands and wish those who remain can be repected so much better with what they have left, this is touching, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet John, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
8 posted 2002-09-26 06:42 AM


Thanks. Enjoyed the read.

Melton

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