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Open Poetry #14
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I, Called Rushing Water
| Open Poetry #14 |
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I, Called Rushing Water |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas 
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I, Called Rushing Water I, called Rushing Water, can't stop the rain from falling down, can't stop the water forming in my eyes the mist from clouding what I see, the buffalo from disappearing, the land from being taken over, the deaths of my people. Only the Great Spirit can save us now, only the mighty wind can blow them back across the sea, only our ancestors can intervene and stop the flow that destroys all in its path. I, Rushing Water call upon the Spirits of all that we love to stop the River of White that poisons the beast and the birds, the flowers, thorns, the people of mother earth. I implore you, oh Great Spirit, turn not your back upon your people that die everyday defending their homes, defending the land, the way of life you gave us; what have we done so wrong, that you would watch us die this way? I, Rushing Water, that runs no more, kneeling at the grave of my wife and children, at the grave of most of my tribe, at the grave of our way of life; I, a man of peace and healing, a man of prayer and belief in all things, take up my fallen brothers' weapons, give you my vow to kill and kill again, until I myself am dead. I, Rushing Water, take a last look at this place we called home, where we hunted, fished, loved, and died in peace since before the great, great grandfathers of my fathers; I see nothing now but death and blood. I, Rushing Water, with tears in my veins, hate in my heart, agony in my soul, now go to join the gathering tribes in the valley of the Little Big Horn. I, Rushing Water, prepare to die. w. james beard, jr. © June 2001 [This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 06-26-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Sorry Marge...guess I need to get out of the despair side and write the joyuous side of their lives some...will do better....j. |
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SEA 
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
JWesley..... what could I possibly say about this? It has touched my heart......beautiful, sad writing...  |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
My friend, My friend~ Make no apologies for something that touches you so deeply. There are many, many who have said the same words ... just not as wonderfully poetic as you have done. The times were troubled and death was multitudinous for all the Indian tribes. It is no wonder that they had to abandon their peaceful ways in defense of their loved ones and the land .... Very, very deeply moving ... are your words. Proud to share the fire-circle with you, friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
yes, if only the oppressed would not become the oppressors if only we could learn to share this Earth that's been given whenever any people group thinks they need more space in it I really do think we're doing better in that, but I know we are far from where we need to be, otherwise all this would be over and the new heaven and the new earth would BE |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Oh my, how very powerful and painful are these words. Very impressive write, and a sad and unfair true story. Sandra |
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
This is an awesome piece, James, and you should be very proud for what you have put down here.... |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Thanks to all for understanding. If I could be a "soapbox" or "grandstand" kinda person I lead the charge to righteousness myself; but I'm just a laid back, chewing my cud kinda person and this is the way I get the feelings out. And thanks to you Marge...for understanding. I will try to write the lovely side too, just to show you I can do it (I hope!) Although after reading the beautiful things you've written about them...do I really want to go there!!! jwesley |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Excellent writing...James |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Nothing to be ashamed about. I have written several like this and I always have to say the same thing! This is a wonderful write and more of this type of composition should be available to all. The melancholy side reminds me of this old song...... "Listen children to a story that was written long ago bout a kingdom on a mountain and the valley folk below On the mountain was a treasure buried deep beneath a stone and the valley people swore they'd have it for their very own. Go ahead and hate your neighbour Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of heaven. Justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing come the judgement day, on the bloody morning after one tin soldier rides away........ So the people of the valley sent a message up the hill asking for the buried treasure tons of gold for which they'd kill. Came an answer from the kingdom "With our brothers we will share, all the secrets of our mountain all the riches buried there." Now the valley cried with anger, "Mount your horses draw your sword!" and they killed the mountain people so they won their just reward. Now they stood beside the treasure on the mountain dark and red turned the stone and looked beneath it, "PEACE ON EARTH" was all it said!....... Go ahead and hate your neighbour. Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of heaven. Justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing come the judgement day, on the bloody morning after one tin soldier rides away.................... by....The Original Caste The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up |
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