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Open Poetry #36
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littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York

0 posted 2005-12-19 07:31 AM



Onslaught  
of arctic breath

she anticipates
her inamorato

indistinct, steadfast

covetus of her release,
that sting

a surge
of energy,
begging acquittal.


The Lake has yet to be harnessed.


Her periphery brims
lament

legacy of Red Jacket
and his white woman

their blood spatters
engaged
with the howling

the destitute of their city.



[This message has been edited by littlewing (12-19-2005 12:00 PM).]

© Copyright 2005 Sue Eckam - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
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Listening to every heart
1 posted 2005-12-19 08:22 AM



There's a story behind this...

and the lake wants to surge forth
toward it.

Susie...?
Ardent fan here....


littlewing
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since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
2 posted 2005-12-19 08:54 AM


and there is . . . many stories behind this and yes, she does indeed.

Much more than just this, thank you.

If I start telling, this will have to be taken to the Lounge.

*smile*

  

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2005-12-19 09:24 AM


yes, there is a story here, and someday would like to hear, this is a haunting melody missy, one of which not only can I relate to, but without prying, would anticipate an abusive situation...your poetry leaves the reader thinking...and are very profound...

Hugs to ya....

kayjay
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since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
4 posted 2005-12-19 11:15 AM


I'm with Karilea!  You've tantalized us with great images.  I hope to hear the rest.  Best, Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2005-12-19 01:26 PM


and I am but a puddle...


Gentle Spirit
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since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

6 posted 2005-12-19 02:54 PM


ok, will be looking for more of this in the lounge...  

you m'dear
are soooo talented

Happy holidays sweetie

Midnitesun
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Gaia
7 posted 2005-12-19 03:07 PM


the name alone invites us to ask for more
so?
meet you in the lounge?

littlewing
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since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
8 posted 2005-12-19 04:40 PM


Oh man, it isnt about me . . . I layered bits of self in there . . . but it is more of history.  If I must tell, I will.  It's a good story.

Thank you everyone.

Broken
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since 2000-03-12
Posts 271
The woods
9 posted 2005-12-19 09:57 PM


What is an inamorato? A beloved? I know this line in this great song that goes "A bleak garden to cry, when my inamorato died" I've been somewhat wondering what inamorato really mean for some while.
I enjoyed the read, but not to sure i get the story.
Where have I been hiding? In every corner i could find

Your truly
~Broken~

"Base not your joy upon the deeds of others, for what is given can be taken away."

Peter Steele

babygirlwlove
Senior Member
since 2004-10-10
Posts 1180
New York City
10 posted 2005-12-20 07:28 AM


haunting ink~

~much love
~babygirL

**Intoxicant to the SouL**

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
11 posted 2005-12-20 08:00 AM


Thank you everyone for replying.

I appreciate that.

I never meant to put out a type of write that was so obscure, nobody understood it.

This is about Sagoyewatha (Red Jacket) - he was council for the Six Nations of the Iroquois.  (Seneca Nation Indians)

Red Jacket fought for his people, was an astounding orator and sadly, accused of witchcraft and nearly executed.

He signed a treaty giving up a lot of land where I live, unable to stand anymore against the white oppression.

The city I live in is mostly Native burial ground.  The entire city consists of streets and towns named after Indian chiefs.  The city itself, is named after Native folklore.

While Red Jacket was at home with his people at Buffalo Creek and with his "white woman of the North", Mary Jemison - the only wish he had was to NOT be buried at the hands of the white man and to fall in honor where he lay in battle.

The Christians took his corpse and moved it, against his dying wishes, gave him a Protestant service and buried him in a famous cemetary here with a huge monument honoring him.  His wife, is in a completely different cemetary.

The white man never could really stand up to Red Jacket while alive and this was the worst thing that could ever have been done to Red Jacket.

Two streets away from me is the original burial ground where Natives still remain.  You can see the mounds in the grass.  Red Jacket and Mary were there, they had been moved in the 1800's.

My city is right on Lake Erie. The reason we have such bitter winters is due to the Lake not freezing over, which it has not yet and which is why we are having such a bitter winter.  (Lake effect)

I wrote of the Lake, crying to her lover, the winter (arctic breath) as one would to a lover to please come and release her from this sting (passion) and release her from this pain of being alone.  (In so many words, I think you get what I mean)

This Lake belonged to the Senecas.  The Lake may be crying to Red Jacket.  It may be a lament between Mary and Red Jacket, who no longer reside side by side.

If you go to this burial ground, it is truly another dimension.  It resides on a side street, it looks like a park.  When you drive up to it, you can hear the lament.  You can feel the brevity of how wrong it was for them to be moved.

The place is sacred.  It exists unto itself.  Nobody should be setting foot upon it, yet there it is.  There are no birds, no sound, no squirrels.  This is a perimeter into another time.

I stood there upon the cobblestoned steps, looking at white man - made grave markers where bodies no longer reside.

I heard the wailing, I felt the pain and the anger.  

I left with a heavy heart.

This entire city, as many, has been built on the blood of Native Americans.

This is, simply, a cry of arms to a soul who fought for what he believed in and died for that.  And even in death, could not find peace.  

The howling wind (winter) and what this city has become (destitute) relate to the plight of Red Jacket.  In so many ways, they are in the same boat.

Nations continue to fight with the white man. The land I now sit upon, right here, belongs to them.

Rightfully so.    

(There is so much more to this, to that ground, to the legacies of this land.  This was but a simple peace offering to a man who deserved more than what he got, by the hands of my forefathers)

This is, simply, a lovers' lament.

Thanks guys.

  

Nightshade
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just out of reach
12 posted 2005-12-20 09:22 AM


'This is, simply, a lovers' lament.'

Oh, Sue, it is so much more than this.
An amazing part of history has been displayed before us thanks to you.
Wonderful.
hugs, Chris


Martie
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13 posted 2005-12-20 11:49 AM


Thank you for writing this, Sue....and for the explanation.  
Aenimal
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the ass-end of space
14 posted 2005-12-20 12:59 PM


awesome words and description
Dark Angel
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since 1999-08-04
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15 posted 2005-12-20 02:32 PM


Susie, you have me in tears.

Magnificent write lil one



m xx

how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more
~Neruda~

OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
16 posted 2005-12-20 03:59 PM


As I have to read fast online (as I can’t be on for long) and I didn’t follow this one, I copied it to read it offline first.  On coming back into it online, I found your explanation and copied that to read it offline too.  

Having read both and the other responses I must say that it is a wonderful poetic tribute to Red Jacket and Mary Jemison.  

It seems to me that the whites meant well with Red Jacket’s burial arrangements, but didn’t understand him at all.  Ignorance is not bliss. And there is no excuse for it.  A great deal of harm can be done though well-intentioned.  If one wants to honour somebody, it is necessary to do one’s homework to find out how he/she would feel honoured.  

Using the lake and winter as symbols of them I thought was a beautiful touch – no, not touch, far more than a touch – it is the essence of the lover’s lament.  

You know, his body and hers can be moved even now to the traditional burial ground.  It won’t be the first time such a thing has been done.

- Owl

Magnus
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17 posted 2005-12-20 07:22 PM


Most interesting....thanx for the explanation.  Was of much help.  There are
so many stories that could be told,  of
so many different nations as well....

Thanx for the gift you have given us...

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
18 posted 2005-12-21 12:14 PM


I want to again, thank all of you for reading.  It is difficult living here, so many reservations and all of "us" on this land, just doesn't seem right.  

And all that is ever done ---> more casinos, more smokeshops . . . NYS wanted to start taxing Native Americans and they do this every couple of years.  The last time was met by mutiny on the thruways here . . . and much needed.  

It is strange to drive down roads like Red Jacket and Cherokee, Tuscarora, Seneca and not wonder who these leaders were and what happened to them.

I understand why monuments are put up and why they were moved . . . they were simply being honored, just as they are by the street names, but it is ironic and sad.  

To me, things should just have stayed put.

Some things you just don't mess with.

I try, as I might, to pay homage, yet I truly have no right to.  That is the double-edged sword.

Thanks again guys and for reading my ramblings.


wranx
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Moved from a shack to a barn
19 posted 2005-12-21 11:01 AM


You already know how much I read into this

(I thought I'd commented here, but my memory seems to be on sabbatical)

Agreeing with owlSA, ignorance (along with intolerance) causes great harm

In your explaination, you give a glimpse of what is whirring around behind those brown eyes while you write  *smile*

Greeneyes
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20 posted 2005-12-21 12:41 PM


you amaze me....always

hugssss-- miss you much....

aujussy wolf
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21 posted 2005-12-21 06:40 PM


dang little what a deep poem , it had my attention for sure ...it went together well , very good work and for the story afterwards, so true .... even though every reader see's something in a different view ...which is what i love about writing so much ,it was a good combo , i am sure the cheifs and elders would agree ,
and i did find my bear and co. book and cards the cool ones with the animals , sams and carson wrote it and angela werneke did the art and design ....pretty cool though lol anyway peace and ((hugs)) to ya ...
~j wolfman

Susan Caldwell
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since 2002-12-27
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Florida
22 posted 2005-12-22 09:45 AM




Loved this Sue...

I grew up in an area where everything had the same sort of names:

Syracuse, In.

Wawasee High School.

Lake Wawasee

Wabash (it's been awhile so the spelling might be off)

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Ceinwyn
Member Elite
since 2000-07-09
Posts 2175
VA
23 posted 2005-12-25 11:38 PM


I felt this and I was soo hoping you'd explain and I scrolled down and there it was! wow, this was flooded with I dunno whats that word emotion. This gave me goosebumps Sue and I happen to be in the dark and its foggy outside you know like Harry Potter Prisoner of Azakaban foggy with the dementors...

If at first you don't succeed destroy all the evidence that you tried.

iliana
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USA
24 posted 2005-12-26 12:38 PM


Sue, I am touched beyond words.   ....jo
coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

25 posted 2005-12-26 01:01 PM


Great poem, Sue.

I really enjoyed the story behind it.

Cuz, I am crazy about that kind of stuff!

Thanks,
Billy 8)

"Only the dead, have seen the end of war."
Plato

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
26 posted 2005-12-26 11:47 PM


I never thought this would get such a response, but am glad it did.

There is really so much more to this.

Thank you again everyone for reading and replying.  This is something very passionate to me . . .

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
27 posted 2005-12-27 04:23 PM



You already know that I love this...

but I'll say it again...

more than just the poem...
but the sentiment behind it...

beautiful...

"When the power of love overcomes the love
of power the world will know peace."
--Jimi Hendrix

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