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Oklahoma's Red Soil
| Open Poetry #1 |
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Oklahoma's Red Soil |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
O' Trail of Tears, thou cast a cloud of shame In Choctaw blood, upon the white man's name, Eighteen-thirty, in the year of our Lord The proud Choctaw people died not by the sword, But greed and deception, the white man's way Led to destruction, no words can convey Loss of a nation once mighty and proud, Forced in a death march no mercy allowed, Women and children, fell dead by the side. The year of our Lord? How many hath died? Little Dancing Rabbit Creek; fore'er Shall history revile thee, as was there The Chiefs of the Choctaw Nation had came, Were promised lush forests, lands full of game, As long as grass grows and water doth flow, So Jackson promised to force them to go. The Chiefs and the warriors, leading their tribe On paper that talked, their marks did inscribe. Five Civilized Nations, all had became. Civilization, what horror thy name. Seminole, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Joined Choctaw brethren a new home to seek, Commenced Tear's Trail, toward setting sun, To land called "Red Man", the shame had begun. Manifest Destiny, God doth decree, Onward and westward, the land of the free. To Oklahoma, the Choctaw were led, Alkali pits, land barren and dead, The Choctaws they mourned, as the earth turned red, By tears of their blood, they wept for their dead. [This message has been edited by Tim (edited 07-14-99).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Tim - All Rights Reserved | |||
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
i like this one you hit your point hard delivered a bit of embarrassing history with talent thanx... walt |
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elvira Senior Member
since 1999-07-06
Posts 936California |
lovely poem, sad yet true, looking forward to more postings from you ------------------ My One and Only ... Childhood Memories ... your countenance ... hoarse whispers ... serving wench ... stolen hours ... devotion ... Master |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
This really tugged, nay, clawed at my heart. Lover of all things "natural", you did a fine job and I would be hard pressed to not believe you have some Indian blood in you, although be it generations removed, as have I. Good job, Tim. I look forward to reading more, as we have more than poetry in common. ------------------ Sunshine Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
The shame should never be forgotten....... |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
Thank you for the comments... Sunshine, we probably have more in common than you realize... but no Indian blood, my aunt by marriage was Cherokee and talked of the Trail of Tears... |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
a sad event in our history |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
A wonderfully written poem about this event in our history. I had to write a paper about it once and read up on it. The Indians were so civilized at this time that they dressed as their white brethren. They were forced to give up their homes, their businesses, their lives on this stupid march to Oklahoma. One night as many of them slept outside on the ground, it snowed. Many of them were dead, frozen, never to rise up and walk again! Thank you for bringing this event to life in such a poetic way! (and yes, I have noted you have several styles of writing!) |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
I'm from Oklahoma, I loved the poem! Just a bit of info here: Sallisaw, OK is along the Trail of Tears. There are small rocks, called Rose Rocks, that form in the shape of a rose. They are red (the color of the okla soil). Legend has it that the rose rock is formed from the tears of the maidens as they weeped and the color is derived from the blood of the warriors that died. |
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Artur Hawkwing Member
since 1999-06-30
Posts 444USA |
Double what Tara has said ~ I'm an Oklahoman! I so love Oklahoma! Quoted from the state song: quote: The Indians' history is a fascinating one, and pity those who had to tread the Trail of the Tears. Part of the Indian heritage has made Oklahoma a proud state. I have collected a few Rose Rocks myself..... most beautiful rocks I've ever seen. And... quote: [This message has been edited by Artur Hawkwing (edited 08-14-99).] |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Tim - I absolutely love this one better than all of your others - Have I said that about any other ones??? Probably.... I want to do some historical poetry myself - and this is just the type of work I have in mind - just different subject matter - Have I said that this is exceptional????  I'm very pleased that this poem was brought back up today - So that I was reminded to read it - 'Twas on my list, Tim.... where ever my list is....  ------------------ Nay, if our wits run the Wild-Goose chase, I am done: For thou hast more of the Wild-Goose in one of thy wits, Than I am sure I have in my whole five. ~ ²1592 Wm. Shakespeare ~ Romeo & Juliet ~ ii. iv. 75 |
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Tim Senior Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 1794 |
Thank you for the kind comments. My history degree did little to help my professional career, but I have never regretted obtaining it. |
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