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Oklahoma's Red Soil
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Oklahoma's Red Soil |
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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 they 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, five tribes 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, They 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, unfed. 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 Mike (edited 07-03-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
Wow Mike, Very powerful piece, very well written, wonderful read. Bonnie |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
"Civilization, what horror thy name." You probably already know how I feel, especially by my "Auburn Tears". This is outstanding, you know. ~ Claire Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Magnificent! This story is so tragic..man's inhumanity to man in full force! Voting.... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Mike~ This one talks to my heart. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Mike, this is so very well done...You know you have my vote. |
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Danny Holloway Member Elite
since 2000-01-15
Posts 2034Tulsa, OK |
~~nice writing~~ A stark reminder of the truth that is an embarassment to our nation. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
outstanding writing perfection and compassion for a cause from your poets pen jm What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly ~LaoTzeTao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Outstanding indeed! Very well done, Mike! Denise |
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Craig Member
since 1999-06-10
Posts 444 |
Vote. Yes, I admit your general rule. That every poet is a fool: But I myself may serve to show it. That every fool is not a poet. |
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