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Open Poetry #34
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Lakota/Buffalo
| Open Poetry #34 |
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Lakota/Buffalo |
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Abe Senior Member
since 2003-05-28
Posts 694Looks like Vero Beach, FL until the end! 
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"TATANKA" (Bull Buffalo) Over a "land bridge" from the North At the time of the last Ice Age The Bison came to the Great Plains And wrote another History’s page. They numbered in the millions For as far as the eye could see A blanket of horn and flesh and fur Roaming like some dark, living Sea. Called "Tatanka" by Lakota The Great Tribe of those Plains They used every part of their kill So there were no wasted remains. The hides for clothing and shelter To protect them from the bitter cold The bones turned into useful tools Skulls, Alters where Prayers were told. They took only what they needed From the wealth of Mother Earth Giving Thanks for all the Blessings Knowing what each Bison was worth. A large part of the everyday life And of stories told in their folk lore A certain Magic brought to them From those ancient days of yore. But then the foreign Peoples came And wrought destruction on the Herd Killed the Buffalo by the thousands The Lakota cries ignored, unheard. The rivers ran red with the blood The carcass rotted where they fell Piles of bleached bones in the sun And the stench of the rotting smell. Hides and tongues were sold for money And soon the wild herds would cease to be And by the year Nineteen, Aught, Two They only numbered, twenty-three. The Whites had thought the Native People Would die without those Buffalo So they killed just for the killing But found those People would not go. Today those herds are slowly returning And the Lakota Nation lives on With the inborn Pride and will to Live They’ve known since this World’s dawn. 12-19-2004 http://www.storyofthebison.com/bison.htm Del "Abe" Jones |
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| © Copyright 2004 Del - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
Such pride for the Lakota eminated in your works. A great read poet. TD |
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Nightshade 
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Very interesting write Abe. Happy Holidays to you. Chris  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Abe, please, never quit relating the truth... Thank you so much! |
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skyshine
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058Beneath the northern stars |
We all need to remember all parts of history. Thanks for telling me the story!! ~sky Have a Holly Jolly Christmas! Jesus is the reason for the season!! |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I never did like history class, but if it were taught this way, I'd go back for an upgrade. How I do enjoy your poetry |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Very nice poetic tribute. Well done Abe. "cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind" |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Very well penned Del..and much enjoyed the read. Happy Holidays to you and yours. |
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Season's Greetings!