Father Of The Cherokee - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2000-07-24 11:35 PM

Father Of The Cherokee

I am Father
of the Cherokee,
Sioux,
Apache,
Cheyenne,
Navaho;
Father
of all the tribes
of the land.
I am the earth,
the sky,
the waters,
your soul,
and your life.
I am all
that you ever were,
so listen,
as I cry for you.

I was there
when you hunted deer
and bear
in the forest,
when your blood
raced through your veins
hunting buffalo
on the plains;
when you took from the land
and the waters
only that which you needed,
when you wasted not
of the earth,
when your soul
was hot and fiery,
from the sheer joy
of life;
when your heart
was full,
and your babies
were born.

I was there
when you were beaten
and torn from your lands,
when you were put in enclaves,
whipped as dogs,
kicked,
spit on,
starved,
and I am still there,
on your reservations,
where you are less
than people,
less than animals,
still persecuted,
and hidden
from view;
hopefully
to quietly disappear
from sight.

And I cry for you,
my people,
deep in my heart
I cry for your misery,
your pain,
the unjustness
of your life.
I cry
for what you've endured,
for what you've yet to face,
for the extermination
that will eventually come.

Your life
is my life,
your soul,
my soul,
my tears,
like rain,
soaking into the earth
with every loved one
placed in her arms.

I cry for you
my children
of the tribes
and nations,
true guardians
of the land…
I cry for you
with heavy heart,
eternal sadness,
and pain
even death
can't erase.

W. James Beard, Jr.

[This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 07-25-2000).]

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

1 posted 2000-07-24 11:48 PM

JWesley~
You have just endeared yourself
in my heart forevermore.

'Your life
is my life,
your soul,
my soul,
my tears,
like rain,
soaking into the earth
with every loved one
placed in her arms.'

I thank you for the tribute to all
of the people of Native Indian heritage.
We are one.
Peace, my brother.
~*White Feather*~ is my Cherokee name ~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

2 posted 2000-07-25 12:23 PM

Thank you, Marge, I have wanted to write something along this line for a long, long time and just couldn't put it into words, in a reasonable length, and still fell far short of what I'd like to say...maybe I'll try it other ways. I believe the American Indians, though they had their problems and spats like any other race, had a respect, and understanding of "things" in general, that far surpasses any other nation on earth, past or present, and had they been asked their advice about things, rather than beat into submissive, all but, quarentined animals, the earth, overall, would have been a better place today.

And although my genes spawned from across the Atlantic, my life, my soul, my tears are as one with American Indians everywhere.

[This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 07-25-2000).]

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

3 posted 2000-07-25 11:29 AM

BTW Marge, do you know of any on-line sites that carry Indian history as related by Indians?

jwesley

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

4 posted 2000-07-25 12:26 PM

Could hear the spirit rattle and drum beat in this piece...evoked beautiful and sometimes painful images...great job with this.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

5 posted 2000-07-25 12:36 PM

You have hit upon a true passion of mine and you do it much justice with your words. Great write. check your email.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

6 posted 2000-07-25 01:27 PM

sorry for the double post.

[This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (edited 07-25-2000).]

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

7 posted 2000-07-25 02:07 PM

Thank you, serenity, your words are appreciated, and Mark, I think blood of the Indian runs through most of our veins whether by genetics or not. I'm off to check my email.

jwesley

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

8 posted 2000-07-25 03:05 PM

Well done...strong, heart felt poem...thank you for the writing.

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

9 posted 2000-07-25 08:52 PM

thanks Martie...your words are always much appreciated.

jwesley

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.