Little Eagle - 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!

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

0 posted 2002-06-17 07:00 PM

Little Eagle

With arms spred wide against the horizon of golden plains
Little Eagle ran in circles where memories stake their claims
Mounds of scorched soil birthing the uproar of summer dust
Swirling in the passages of his ancestors with each new gust

Eyes fixed to a promise where his people will rise once more
Blazing a path of tradition in the freedom of earth's floor
Zealous in flight of thought ... lost in the spirit of creation
Peace rides his heart bearing the soul of the Cherokee nation

Tremors of days filled with trails reddened in desperate tears
Bring conviction against the eyes of this little warriors fears
Knowledge rests in the praise of all in nature being an equal
To strides of moccasins altered by a path of creation's sequel

Harsh winters never come to this world "Little Eagle" knows
Dreams become reality as easily as the spring breeze flows
Gold fills the arrows that fly from his bow adorned in pearl
Stretched tight on the feathered strings as his fingers uncurl

You see ... "Little Eagle" plays and hunts in the palm of "God"
As he fell at the age of four on a trail of tears his parents trod

Mark Christopher

[This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (06-17-2002 07:02 PM).]

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

1 posted 2002-06-17 07:20 PM

Beautiful Mark...a sad tale, with much
truth entwined... Powerful poem...

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

2 posted 2002-06-17 07:29 PM

Big heavy sigh .... ahhhh Mark ... so WONDERFUL to read you, my friend! I just popped on for a moment, and I saw your name ... and ... I'm "still" smiling. How ARE you?

This is a beautiful piece, with such warmth and heart placed firmly in the memories of Cherokee heritage and remembrance. Just lovely ... oh my yes ... just lovely! Much enjoyed Mark!

Best wishes and big hugs

/Kit

PS ...
Yup, I'm still smiling!

Marsha

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-10

Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England

3 posted 2002-06-17 08:04 PM

Mark dear boy Oh how wonderful is this piece. Sometimes a poet drop pearls of wisdom into quiet pools of wonder, and the ripples across that silent pool of thought reach out to another soul, this is such a time. Utterly breathtakingly perfect. Thank you for this beauteous gift

You know I love this don’t you? Of course you do. Absolutely perfect writing

Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

Breathe through the heat of our desire
Thy coolness and they balm
Let sense be dumb let flesh retire
Speak through the eathquake wind and fire
Oh

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

4 posted 2002-06-17 08:08 PM

Mark! So nice to see you again.
This is wonderfully written...
Enjoyed thoroughly this evening.
~Hugs~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2002-06-17 08:18 PM

Mark, my friend, I am so glad to see you!!

This poem, so tender, goes to ground beyond history, into amaze.  Wonderful writing!

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

6 posted 2002-06-17 10:15 PM

Hey Mark
This is eloquent my friend and one that states many of my feelings.
It's great to have you back and in marvelous form too I must say

               "You see ... "Little Eagle" plays and hunts in the palm of
               "God"
               As he fell at the age of four on a trail of tears his parents
               trod"

This story has always touched my heart!

The "Long Walk" and the Trail
of Tears

When the American Civil War (1861-65) broke out, it
drew soldiers away from Navajo country in the Southwest.
The Navajo took advantage of this respite to attack
American and Mexican settlements in the Rio Grande
Valley in New Mexico territory. The government sent in
Colonel Kit Carson and his New Mexico Volunteers to
suppress the Navajo and to move them to a reservation on
a barren strip of land called Bosque Redondo. Carson
pursued a scorched-earth policy to starve and drive the
Navajo out of the awesome Canyon de Chelly, in
northeastern Arizona. He even destroyed more than 5,000
peach trees.

Carson gathered together some 8,000 people and forced
them to take the "Long Walk" of about 300 miles to the
Bosque Redondo detention camp at Fort Sumner, New
Mexico. A report says: "The weather was bitterly cold, and
many of the ill-clad, underfed exiles died along the way."
The conditions at the reservation were terrible. The Navajo
had to gouge out holes in the ground in an effort to find
refuge. In 1868, after realizing its crass blunder, the
government granted the Navajo 3.5 million acres of their
ancestral homeland in Arizona and New Mexico. They
went back, but what a price they had been forced to pay!

Between 1820 and 1845, tens of thousands of Choctaw,
Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creeks, and Seminoles were driven
from their lands in the Southeast and forced to march
westward, beyond the Mississippi River, to what is now
Oklahoma, hundreds of miles away. In cruel winter
conditions, many died. The forced march westward
became infamous as the Trail of Tears.

The injustices committed against Native Americans are
further confirmed by the words of the American general
George Crook, who had hunted down the Sioux and the
Cheyenne in the north. He said: "The Indians' side of the
case is rarely ever heard. . . . Then when the [Indian]
outbreak does come public attention is turned to the
Indians, their crimes and atrocities are alone condemned,
while the persons whose injustice has driven them to this
course escape scot-free . . . No one knows this fact better
than the Indian, therefore he is excusable in seeing no
justice in a government which only punishes him, while it
allows the white man to plunder him as he pleases."-Bury
My Heart at Wounded Knee.

The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up
spaces of consciousness and resistance; to language oppressions; to
re-language historie

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

7 posted 2002-06-17 10:47 PM

Cowboy! You're home! 'Bout time, the stew's been on hold so long, it's melded to the pot...

Good stuff here...don't be a stranger, y'hear?

Goodknight
Member Elite

since 2002-06-15

Posts 2386
Ohio, USA

8 posted 2002-06-17 10:57 PM

a wonderfully written poem - I enjoyed it thoroughly - Paul

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

9 posted 2002-06-17 11:08 PM

(big hugggssssssss) Oh Mark, this is soooooo heartachingly powerful, sweet friend, I have Cherokee Indian blood in me and I always cry thinking of my ancestors and the cruel ways they were treated and being banished from the land they loved! (sad sigh) I too praise this child and hope somehow all is not lost and indians like him can find a piece of the land to forever dwell upon peacefully, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Mark, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

rwood
Member Elite

since 2000-02-29

Posts 3793
Tennessee

10 posted 2002-06-17 11:35 PM

Sigh~ beautiful..thank you for your voice..and the echoes of memory here even today I believe if you listen..they can be heard.

Sincerely,
Reg

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

11 posted 2002-06-18 08:34 AM

Zealous in flight of thought ... lost in the spirit of creation
Peace rides his heart bearing the soul of the Cherokee nation

Tremors of days filled with trails reddened in desperate tears
Bring conviction against the eyes of this little warriors fears
Knowledge rests in the praise of all in nature being an equal
To strides of moccasins altered by a path of creation's sequel

Harsh winters never come to this world "Little Eagle" knows
Dreams become reality as easily as the spring breeze flows
Gold fills the arrows that fly from his bow adorned in pearl
Stretched tight on the feathered strings as his fingers uncurl

You see ... "Little Eagle" plays and hunts in the palm of "God"
As he fell at the age of four on a trail of tears his parents trod
================================

Well, well look who rode in

Welcome back to Poetry Land cowboy

Its so good to see your name here again...and this is the perfect poem to make an entrance with....Classic MC poetry...
cadence and imagery and my fave theme of yours. When ever you write with your muse of the Native American spirit, we are in for a treat and a lesson of truth and humility.
The voice of the ancients can be heard whispering between your lines.

and how cool are these lines............

Knowledge rests in the praise of all in nature being an equal
To strides of moccasins altered by a path of creation's sequel

I think those words encompass the wisdom and truth and speak volumes.
Your closing couplets impact and realities pull at the heartstrings.
When ever I read your Native American poetry the thing that strikes me is the compassion, respect and humanity that shines thru your gift of imagery.

"Gold fills the arrows that fly from his bow adorned in pearl
Stretched tight on the feathered strings as his fingers uncurl

how beautiful are those words!!!

Yeah...we need your poetry around here

mothyme

You ...
You are still a whisper on my lips ...
A feeling at my fingertips.

DV

Kethry
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-29

Posts 9082
Victoria Australia

12 posted 2002-06-18 09:16 AM

Mark,
I've suddenly remembered why I dream in colour when you're around...it's because you fill my mind with wonderful images.
Welcome back, set a spell.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind. Unknown

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

13 posted 2002-06-18 09:21 AM

MarkB~
You 'know' you walk the plains of this little Cherokee's heart~
Breathtakingly lovely ... ~

It's really good to see you, my friend~
Gv ge yuhi~
~*WillowWhiteFeather*~

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

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

14 posted 2002-06-18 10:00 AM

ah Mark, the name appeared and I knew I was gonna be mesmerized the entire way through.
Much thought went into this piece I am sure Mark, and you write this with the wisdom of the spirits whispering to you.
Makes me feel as though we should all be sitting around a big cozy camp fire listening as Mark tells the stories.
Thank you dear friend, welcome home,
and don't be a stranger.....we are blessed when your name appears.

I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance~~(Garth)

catalinamoon

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-03

Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone

15 posted 2002-06-18 12:25 PM

SO happy to see you here again. This is a beautifully told story, much enjoyed
Stay with us for awhile

Sandra

Pilgrimage
Member Elite

since 2001-12-04

Posts 3945
Texas, USA

16 posted 2002-06-18 12:41 PM

I know so little of the Cherokee, my grandmother left the reservation as a baby and never went back. But I've heard stories of the Trail of Tears all my life. This poem is so well done, well told.

Nan

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

17 posted 2002-06-18 04:00 PM

you knew I'd be back with pics ...
I've been stockpiling them the whole time you've been gone...I hope you've got enough poems to keep up with me

"It's not about having what you want ...
It's wanting what you've got"

S.C.

snowpants
Member Elite

since 2000-09-16

Posts 2061
KS

18 posted 2002-06-18 06:14 PM

'Harsh winters never come to this world "Little Eagle" knows
Dreams become reality as easily as the spring breeze flows
Gold fills the arrows that fly from his bow adorned in pearl
Stretched tight on the feathered strings as his fingers uncurl'

These lines remind me once again of your talent for imagery...it is wonderful to read the written words of your passion...this is an extremely well written poem, as usual, baby...rhyme, cadence, and look at that! even lines, too!!

LOVE YA!!

k

I've been down this road forever,
and the time has come to circle back home...

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

19 posted 2002-06-18 07:02 PM

Nice writing Mark...and nice to see you back...James

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

20 posted 2002-06-19 11:08 AM

Mix your great talent with your immense respect for the Cherokee and the result is always excellence. This is superb.

Lisann
Member

since 2001-01-31

Posts 350

21 posted 2002-06-19 11:16 AM

beautiful write....very nicely done.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

22 posted 2002-06-19 08:27 PM

Thank you all for a such a friedly welcome back and for all the wonderful replies. I do appreciate every word and look forward to when I can be here on a more consistant basis, but have no doubt ... I AM BACK!! Thank you again.

andEmmamakes3
Member

since 2002-05-11

Posts 66
Kent

23 posted 2002-06-20 08:33 AM

Mark hi there, I’m a newbie around here, but I’ve browsed in the archives and read a lot of your work, it is awesome and it seems you’ve lost none of your skill in igniting the forum with image and light. This is a great piece of writing, the colour and visions really flow from your pen.

Unlike some people, yes Krissy darling sister I do mean you I don’t have as much opportunity to be online so I haven’t got that much knowledge of the Native American’s history. I have read a great deal of Marge’s writing though and from the little I do know, I can work out that they were very very harshly treated.

Anyway this demonstrates beautifully why you’re a favourite around here, I loved the flow the construction and the content simply couldn’t be bettered. Well done.

lots of love
Emma

Eternity, stands laughing at old time
for ages? In the grand ancestral line
Of things eternal, mounting to divine

CocoBaci
Member Elite

since 2000-05-06

Posts 3043

24 posted 2002-06-22 04:34 AM

He's baaaaaaack and I'm tickled pink that I have this chance2let my dearPoetFriendMark know that me thinx his poetry is truly spectacular...
Thank you so very much4this most enjoyed read...
Hugs2Usweetie...
*~coco~*

Charisma

Member Ascendant

since 2000-09-30

Posts 5906
lost in blue pages

25 posted 2002-06-23 05:12 AM

ohhhhhhhhhhh how I have missed reading you, so glad you'r back, and what a writing.
hope you will suprise us with much more of your beautiful thoughts.

thanks for sharing this one with us Mark

(((hugs)))
Charisma

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-05

Posts 8296
Michigan

26 posted 2002-06-23 12:02 PM

You see ... "Little Eagle" plays and hunts in the palm of "God"
As he fell at the age of four on a trail of tears his parents trod

Absolutely wonderful writing, Mark...it really tugs at the emotions...

~ hugs of admiration

Lyra

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled" Gwendolyn Brooks

Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite

since 2000-03-06

Posts 3733
Michigan

27 posted 2002-06-23 07:06 PM

Well here you are spinning the tales that we long to read...been much to long, but then again you always did like to work my patience to a frazzel didn't you! Beautifully felt work my friend, you weave the emotions like no one else can.
Hugs to you!

Dee
Member Elite

since 2000-08-19

Posts 2330
Queensland, Australia

28 posted 2002-07-02 11:17 PM

Mark, my friend, I am only back for a few minutes but you know I had to look for you. Hopefully I will have access to a puter soon and will be able to visit more often.

Beautifully done as always. You know how much your words impress me.

Love, Dee

Stand straight and tall, not the reflection as others see you, but as you truely are. Clearwater

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-21

Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song

29 posted 2002-07-05 07:14 PM

andEmmamakes3- Thank you for the nice words about my poem.  I appreciate it.

Coco-Anyone ever tell you that you are an angel?  Well I am saying it now.  Thank you dearly for your kindness and wonderful words.

Charisma-I did and will continue to do so.  Thank you for that overwhelming welcome back.  It and you are much appreciated.

Madame Chipmunk- Emotions are what make the world go 'round.  Thank you much.

Holly - What??????  Me, try your patience????????  I wouldn't ever ... well maybe sometimes. LOL  Thanks there my golden winged friend.  You know how much it means to me to see you around.  Hugs back at ya!

Dee- I am always honored and humbled that you go in search of my writing and don't doubt for a minute that you are appreciated.  Heck, you would be even if you didn't like my works so much, but don't pay attention to that, I kinda like having you on my posts.  Thanks again sweet one.

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