Talo Tiske Of The Tennessee

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StevenS
Senior Member

since 2005-09-21

Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)

0 posted 2006-03-11 08:46 AM

I wrote this in 1997. It's about Cherokee Chief Talo Tiske (i.e.) Chief Doublehead. Chief Doublehead lived on the Tennessee river in Northern Alabama and southern Tennessee around the turn of the 18th century. He went on a six year war path in retaliation for the murder of his brother. It is said that he ate the heart of one of his victims a well known indian fighter, sorry I don't recall his name.

This old and ancient river,
has many a story she could tell.
Of love and hate, of life and death,
of bliss, and of dread.
But none compare to the legend of
Chief Doublehead.

His cry of war shattered the calm
of those long ago nights.
All he slew, I'm sure they knew,
he was well within his rights.

None could honestly dispute his claim,
when these words of truth he spoke.
"This land is my land, it gave birth to my soul,
the bones of our fathers lie cradled in her fold."

Some say that in his futile quest,
madness overtook him, but none who loved
the breath of life dared to overlook him.

He fought long and hard,
though his brothers had surrendered.
His awesome deeds in this land,
shall always be remembered.

So pray I,
that his spirit dwell eternal,
in the redman's Valhala.
Where brave and fallen warriors,
forever bend their bows,
and none but the redman,
ever,ever, goes.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2006-03-11 09:52 AM

Thank you for this, Steven. After reading
your poem, it spurred me to look a bit
farther, and I can see why, and how, you
were inspired. There are many interesting
threads on this subject, and of course,
I got a bit carried away with my reading.

Thank you for making it a Calgon moment.

Ratleader

Member Rara Avis

since 2003-01-23

Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass

2 posted 2006-03-11 09:55 AM

If there is such a place (and there is) of reward for those who have given all to preserve what is right....he is there. He, and cousins of every hue, because he would have as much in common with some slavic farmer, standing alone with a staff against Kahn's riders, knowing he can never save his wife and daughters, as he has with Chief Joseph.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2006-03-11 09:58 AM

"So pray I,
that his spirit dwell eternal,
in the redman's Valhala.
Where brave and fallen warriors,
forever bend their bows,
and none but the redman,
ever,ever, goes."

Excellent write Steven.
I much enjoyed the history behind this as well.
So good to see you posting more..
I enjoy your writing talent.
Hugs~Nancy

~ Trace my body with your words,
in doing so, you touch my heart ~

StevenS
Senior Member

since 2005-09-21

Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)

4 posted 2006-03-11 11:55 AM

Your Welcome Sunny one! Glad you had a Clagon moment!:-)

I totally agree Ratleader, I've evolved somewhat since 97. :-)

Thank you dear Enchantress of the Blue Pages! :-)

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2006-03-11 12:51 PM

"So pray I,
that his spirit dwell eternal,
in the redman's Valhala.
Where brave and fallen warriors,
forever bend their bows,
and none but the redman,
ever,ever, goes."

Knowing you, Steven....I'm sure that you already know that it will.

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

6 posted 2006-03-11 10:41 PM

Wow! Outstanding work Steven. I too
went on a search for more info. Well done!

Buttons
Junior Member

since 2006-02-27

Posts 34

7 posted 2006-03-11 10:48 PM

Very interesting poem. Unfortunately, some of our history is shameful. Just have to watch out that we don't repeat that history!

Buttons

StevenS
Senior Member

since 2005-09-21

Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)

8 posted 2006-03-12 12:39 PM

Thank you Martie, I believe God is Just.

Thank You Lady, Chief Doublehead was truly a colorful character, one of many from that time period.

Thank You Buttons, it seems mankind repeats his mistakes without realizing he's doing so.

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

9 posted 2006-03-13 02:37 PM

Your alliterative title caught my eye. *S*

This is great... I enjoyed it very much!!

Klassy Lassy
Member Elite

since 2005-06-28

Posts 2187
Oregon

10 posted 2006-03-14 12:12 PM

Now I, too, wish to know more about this man. It's strange, I grew up near Indian reservations. They were so removed from my life that I was not aware of them growing up. When I was 16, I went to live with a relative who has Sioux and Cherokee heritage. That is when I began to be aware of history. Thank you for sharing this bit with me as well.

~ Klassy ~

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member

since 2006-02-11

Posts 1403
Virginia

11 posted 2006-03-14 03:31 AM

Ah I really enjoyed this tribute. Thank you for posting this. Once again, I can see the Yunwi Tsunsdi dancing and John Ross' roses continue to bloom.

StevenS
Senior Member

since 2005-09-21

Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)

12 posted 2006-03-14 04:22 AM

Thank you suthern, it just kinda named it's self.

Thanks for the read Klassy, I've found history is rarely told correctly. Not many historians believe telling the truth is the best thing.

Thanks Uriah, We call them Cherokee Roses here. They say one grew for every tear that fell. If you will look in the archive you will find a poem I wrote in 96 called "Lost Lake Cherokee" it was about the Trail Of Tears and dedicated to Coweescowee and the thousands who died. You can also see an animated movie of this poem by visiting my website.

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