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Segoyewatha
| Open Poetry #36 |
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Segoyewatha |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York 
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Onslaught of arctic breath she anticipates her inamorato indistinct, steadfast covetus of her release, that sting a surge of energy, begging acquittal. The Lake has yet to be harnessed. Her periphery brims lament legacy of Red Jacket and his white woman their blood spatters engaged with the howling the destitute of their city. [This message has been edited by littlewing (12-19-2005 12:00 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 Sue Eckam - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
There's a story behind this... and the lake wants to surge forth toward it. Susie...? Ardent fan here.... |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
and there is . . . many stories behind this and yes, she does indeed. Much more than just this, thank you. If I start telling, this will have to be taken to the Lounge. *smile* |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
yes, there is a story here, and someday would like to hear, this is a haunting melody missy, one of which not only can I relate to, but without prying, would anticipate an abusive situation...your poetry leaves the reader thinking...and are very profound... Hugs to ya.... |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
I'm with Karilea! You've tantalized us with great images. I hope to hear the rest. Best, Ken Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
and I am but a puddle...  |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
ok, will be looking for more of this in the lounge...  you m'dear are soooo talented Happy holidays sweetie |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
the name alone invites us to ask for more so?  meet you in the lounge? |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Oh man, it isnt about me . . . I layered bits of self in there . . . but it is more of history. If I must tell, I will. It's a good story. Thank you everyone. |
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Broken Member
since 2000-03-12
Posts 271The woods |
What is an inamorato? A beloved? I know this line in this great song that goes "A bleak garden to cry, when my inamorato died" I've been somewhat wondering what inamorato really mean for some while. I enjoyed the read, but not to sure i get the story. Where have I been hiding? In every corner i could find  Your truly ~Broken~ "Base not your joy upon the deeds of others, for what is given can be taken away." |
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babygirlwlove Senior Member
since 2004-10-10
Posts 1180New York City |
haunting ink~ ~much love ~babygirL **Intoxicant to the SouL** |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Thank you everyone for replying. I appreciate that. I never meant to put out a type of write that was so obscure, nobody understood it. This is about Sagoyewatha (Red Jacket) - he was council for the Six Nations of the Iroquois. (Seneca Nation Indians) Red Jacket fought for his people, was an astounding orator and sadly, accused of witchcraft and nearly executed. He signed a treaty giving up a lot of land where I live, unable to stand anymore against the white oppression. The city I live in is mostly Native burial ground. The entire city consists of streets and towns named after Indian chiefs. The city itself, is named after Native folklore. While Red Jacket was at home with his people at Buffalo Creek and with his "white woman of the North", Mary Jemison - the only wish he had was to NOT be buried at the hands of the white man and to fall in honor where he lay in battle. The Christians took his corpse and moved it, against his dying wishes, gave him a Protestant service and buried him in a famous cemetary here with a huge monument honoring him. His wife, is in a completely different cemetary. The white man never could really stand up to Red Jacket while alive and this was the worst thing that could ever have been done to Red Jacket. Two streets away from me is the original burial ground where Natives still remain. You can see the mounds in the grass. Red Jacket and Mary were there, they had been moved in the 1800's. My city is right on Lake Erie. The reason we have such bitter winters is due to the Lake not freezing over, which it has not yet and which is why we are having such a bitter winter. (Lake effect) I wrote of the Lake, crying to her lover, the winter (arctic breath) as one would to a lover to please come and release her from this sting (passion) and release her from this pain of being alone. (In so many words, I think you get what I mean) This Lake belonged to the Senecas. The Lake may be crying to Red Jacket. It may be a lament between Mary and Red Jacket, who no longer reside side by side. If you go to this burial ground, it is truly another dimension. It resides on a side street, it looks like a park. When you drive up to it, you can hear the lament. You can feel the brevity of how wrong it was for them to be moved. The place is sacred. It exists unto itself. Nobody should be setting foot upon it, yet there it is. There are no birds, no sound, no squirrels. This is a perimeter into another time. I stood there upon the cobblestoned steps, looking at white man - made grave markers where bodies no longer reside. I heard the wailing, I felt the pain and the anger. I left with a heavy heart. This entire city, as many, has been built on the blood of Native Americans. This is, simply, a cry of arms to a soul who fought for what he believed in and died for that. And even in death, could not find peace. The howling wind (winter) and what this city has become (destitute) relate to the plight of Red Jacket. In so many ways, they are in the same boat. Nations continue to fight with the white man. The land I now sit upon, right here, belongs to them. Rightfully so. (There is so much more to this, to that ground, to the legacies of this land. This was but a simple peace offering to a man who deserved more than what he got, by the hands of my forefathers) This is, simply, a lovers' lament. Thanks guys. |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
'This is, simply, a lovers' lament.' Oh, Sue, it is so much more than this. An amazing part of history has been displayed before us thanks to you. Wonderful. hugs, Chris  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Thank you for writing this, Sue....and for the explanation.  |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
awesome words and description |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Susie, you have me in tears. Magnificent write lil one m xx how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
As I have to read fast online (as I can’t be on for long) and I didn’t follow this one, I copied it to read it offline first. On coming back into it online, I found your explanation and copied that to read it offline too. Having read both and the other responses I must say that it is a wonderful poetic tribute to Red Jacket and Mary Jemison. It seems to me that the whites meant well with Red Jacket’s burial arrangements, but didn’t understand him at all. Ignorance is not bliss. And there is no excuse for it. A great deal of harm can be done though well-intentioned. If one wants to honour somebody, it is necessary to do one’s homework to find out how he/she would feel honoured. Using the lake and winter as symbols of them I thought was a beautiful touch – no, not touch, far more than a touch – it is the essence of the lover’s lament. You know, his body and hers can be moved even now to the traditional burial ground. It won’t be the first time such a thing has been done. - Owl |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Most interesting....thanx for the explanation. Was of much help. There are so many stories that could be told, of so many different nations as well.... Thanx for the gift you have given us... |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
I want to again, thank all of you for reading. It is difficult living here, so many reservations and all of "us" on this land, just doesn't seem right. And all that is ever done ---> more casinos, more smokeshops . . . NYS wanted to start taxing Native Americans and they do this every couple of years. The last time was met by mutiny on the thruways here . . . and much needed. It is strange to drive down roads like Red Jacket and Cherokee, Tuscarora, Seneca and not wonder who these leaders were and what happened to them. I understand why monuments are put up and why they were moved . . . they were simply being honored, just as they are by the street names, but it is ironic and sad. To me, things should just have stayed put. Some things you just don't mess with. I try, as I might, to pay homage, yet I truly have no right to. That is the double-edged sword. Thanks again guys and for reading my ramblings. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
You already know how much I read into this (I thought I'd commented here, but my memory seems to be on sabbatical) Agreeing with owlSA, ignorance (along with intolerance) causes great harm In your explaination, you give a glimpse of what is whirring around behind those brown eyes while you write *smile* |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
you amaze me....always hugssss-- miss you much....  |
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aujussy wolf
since 2003-08-09
Posts 1215Michigan |
dang little what a deep poem , it had my attention for sure ...it went together well , very good work and for the story afterwards, so true .... even though every reader see's something in a different view ...which is what i love about writing so much ,it was a good combo , i am sure the cheifs and elders would agree , and i did find my bear and co. book and cards the cool ones with the animals , sams and carson wrote it and angela werneke did the art and design ....pretty cool though lol anyway peace and ((hugs)) to ya ... ~j wolfman |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
 Loved this Sue... I grew up in an area where everything had the same sort of names: Syracuse, In. Wawasee High School. Lake Wawasee Wabash (it's been awhile so the spelling might be off) "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Ceinwyn Member Elite
since 2000-07-09
Posts 2175VA |
I felt this and I was soo hoping you'd explain and I scrolled down and there it was! wow, this was flooded with I dunno whats that word emotion. This gave me goosebumps Sue and I happen to be in the dark and its foggy outside you know like Harry Potter Prisoner of Azakaban foggy with the dementors... If at first you don't succeed destroy all the evidence that you tried. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Sue, I am touched beyond words. ....jo |
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coyote Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077 |
Great poem, Sue. I really enjoyed the story behind it. Cuz, I am crazy about that kind of stuff! Thanks, Billy 8) "Only the dead, have seen the end of war." |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
I never thought this would get such a response, but am glad it did. There is really so much more to this. Thank you again everyone for reading and replying. This is something very passionate to me . . . |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
You already know that I love this... but I'll say it again... more than just the poem... but the sentiment behind it... beautiful... "When the power of love overcomes the love |
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