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Open Poetry #5
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Oklahoma's Red Soil (revised)
| Open Poetry #5 |
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Oklahoma's Red Soil (revised) |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
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; forever 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 their warriors, leading their tribe, On paper that talked, their marks did inscribe, Five Civilized Nations, all had became, Civilization, what horror thy name. System of government, codified law, Merchants and businessmen were the Choctaw, Many were Christian and owned their own land, And aided the white man with helping hand. "Conveyances" promised, money to start, A life in new land as Choctaw depart, Ten million acres traded for ten, Property sold by "honorable" men. "Papered" Indians, the Senate's solution, "Peaceful Progress," white man's absolution. Seminole, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, Joined Choctaw brethern, 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. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
These facts are incredible and astounding - Mike - You really know how to bring a staunch reality to the history of our "Land of the free and Home of the BRAVE"....you know that, don't you? |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Wonderful poem, Mike. What a tragedy this all was. I laugh to myself when I hear preachers say let's return this nation to its Christian roots. Perhaps I am blind...I don't see any Christian roots to this country. Just a look at our past should put that misconception forever to rest. Again, Mike, great poem. Denise |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you Denise and Nan... a little of my history degree showing through on this one... |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
...putting that degree to work - going back for another round......  |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Mike...this is incrediably told. A piece of American history most would rather forget about and you've brought it to light so wonderfully, yet tragicly in this piece. Your portrayal is vivid with your use of imagery. Well done!!! |
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highwayman Junior Member
since 1999-12-29
Posts 42Cookeville, Tennessee, usa |
I may not be true blood but my dad is. I love the poem and the way that you bring the pain of an entire nation out for everyone to see. It does my heart some good to see that people really do care what happond in our past as a nation itself. It is something that all us white man should still feel ashamed of. Well put and with your premission I would like to have a copy to put in my dads office for him. highwayman80@hotmail.com |
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Echo Rhayne Senior Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 1495Canyon Country, CA |
Pulchritudinous Mike! Absolutely wonderful! ~*~ Hell is not a place of fire and a devil with a tail and horns. But a place of torment because the light of God is gone. To escape this, accept the blood of Jesus Christ! ~*~ |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
i tiz remember this one on the first go around revised revised you say well i say even better! |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
Wish I'd seen this last night before I posted my "Auburn Tears"...though I might have changed my mind about sharing it after reading yours. This is superb work, Mike. I love the somber drama of your ending: "The Choctaws they mourned, as the earth turned red, By tears of their blood, they wept for their dead." |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
thank you all for your gracious comments... and I would be honored Highwayman to have you give the poem to your father.... |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
Living in Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears, I see quite a bit of what has become of the "great hunting lands" of Oklahoma. The reservations, which used to spread North to South across half of Oklahoma are now scattered and even smaller than before. Few, if any, full-blooded Cherokee and Creek exist, and most of those in Talequah and Okmulgee counties, taking the few Indian Bureau jobs and working in Casinos and Bingo Halls to make money for the Tribal Council to dispurse among the poor and needy tribal members. This is what has happened to our once proud nations of Creek and Cherokee. As a descendant of indian blood, it makes me ashamed of what this Land of the Free has done to our braves. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
This is wonderful work Mike, a history lesson that we all need to remember and it needs to go back to the top again. In the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. (ee cummings) |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you for the comments RS and Martie. The importance of history is if we learn from past mistakes or repeat them. |
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highwayman Junior Member
since 1999-12-29
Posts 42Cookeville, Tennessee, usa |
Mike, The poem is poignant - I'm Highwayman's father. I'm mixed Choctaw and Cherokee - my adopted sister is full Choctaw. I am Presbyterian minister, ordained by Choctaw Presbytery in southeast Oklahoma (home of the Red Man). Keep up the conscience awarness. We got screwed, man! Grace and Peace, Charles McCaskey |
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highwayman Junior Member
since 1999-12-29
Posts 42Cookeville, Tennessee, usa |
Mike I hope that my dads reply makes some kind of since. good luck in understainding what he ment by all that |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I was struck by this poem and by the responses. This is painful subject matter, always good to remember and talk about. Thank you all for the wonderful dialogue Liz |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Highwayman, yes, I know what your father was saying. Can I understand it? No, because it is an understanding only those involved could possibly totally comprehend. The only thing I can do is to say I recognize what happened and in some way attempt to acknowledge the terrible mistakes made, and to let those who suffered and continue to suffer know that it is recognized the wrongs that were committed in the so-called name of civilization. |
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