Open Poetry #13 |
How They Sang |
Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
The soldier arrested them. Blind-folded and handcuffed they began singing: You can't forbid us everything You can't forbid us to think-- You can't forbid our tears to flow And you can't stop the song that we sing. The women continued to sing louder and louder until they heard the voices of their sisters moving across the mesa: Ah ne nah, nah nin nah nah-- Ah ne nah, nah nin nah nah-- Nyaga mutzioh ne nay- Nyaga mutzioh ne nay-- Consider the rabbits How gently they walk on the earth-- Consider the rabbits How gently they on the earth-- We remember them We can walk gently also-- We remember them We can walk gently also-- ”Call for reinforcement,” one soldier said. ”'We have,”' interrupted one woman, we have--and you have no idea of our numbers.” The Clan of One-Breasted Women-- we are home, soul-centered and strong, women who recognized the sweet smell of sage as fuel for our spirits. For the Shoshone driven from Utah to Nevada January 1988 Tolerating blind obedience in the name of patriotism or religion ultimately takes our lives. Terry Tempest Williams "I am not now that which I have been." [This message has been edited by Julian Lester (edited 04-03-2001).] |
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© Copyright 2001 Mabel A. Dilley - All Rights Reserved | |||
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Julian, you sweep my words away.... |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
The music is so haunting. It compliments the words so well. Thank you for such an emotional trip back in time. |
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Panne447 Member
since 2001-04-03
Posts 196S.A. TX |
Julian/Marge, The music was wonderful and the tale was sad. Panne P.S. I have to say though the font color was horrible - felt like I was trying to read bad day-glo posters under bad black-lights. I could hardly get throuh it with out a headache- certainly gave me plenty of squint lines. Sorry but felt you should know. |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Thank you for making your way through. I totally agree with the "day-glow" effect. Not intentional, I kept typing in an appropriate color, and it continued to return this horrible color. I ran out of time prior to work. I don't think it would help to kick my CPU, but I can try it this evening. Julian "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I have read and, I have learned...thank you. [This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 04-04-2001).] |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Julian~ Nothing detracted from the sorrowing beauty of this piece~ I am glad that I found it and had the chance to share this saga. Hauntingly lovely. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
There is power hidden in these words and the music seems to unleash it. Great writing! All writing comes |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
a very well-done and impressive presentation... |
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