A Look Back
A sad state of affairs.32 total reviews
Comment from Lisasview
I thought for sure that I already reviewed this poem of yours... I bet I forgot to press save... ah well... really enjoyed the read and wish you the very best of luck in the contest.
I will look for Wind River... is it on Netflix?
I ask because we are in Spain,
Lisasview
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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I thought for sure that I already reviewed this poem of yours... I bet I forgot to press save... ah well... really enjoyed the read and wish you the very best of luck in the contest.
I will look for Wind River... is it on Netflix?
I ask because we are in Spain,
Lisasview
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Lisa. I don't know where to find it. I bought the DVD.
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I will look,
Thank you,
lisa
Comment from Goodadvicechan
Coping with memories is not easy. It can be sweet. And it can be sad. It can be mixed. Whatever it is please
commendable to forget the memories and only bring back. Good memories.
We cannot control
Our memories.
A nice written poem.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Coping with memories is not easy. It can be sweet. And it can be sad. It can be mixed. Whatever it is please
commendable to forget the memories and only bring back. Good memories.
We cannot control
Our memories.
A nice written poem.
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Chan. I hope our history books get it right.
Comment from Paul Manton
Outstanding, Paul. A very effective use of rhyme and meter aaab, 4443 - it has the feel of a chant - perhaps you had in mind an ancient dance (consciously or not) and that makes it more authentic.
It is a clear six because you tell the story so well - and your rhyme scheme makes it harder to find exactly the right word every time - but you have managed it triumphantly.
When I began to read it, with my colonial background, I imagined that this would be about the slave trade, but it equally applies to Native Americans or First Nation peoples. It is worthy of all our weeping - and your picture brings it home: the damage has never been repaired.
Paul Manton
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Outstanding, Paul. A very effective use of rhyme and meter aaab, 4443 - it has the feel of a chant - perhaps you had in mind an ancient dance (consciously or not) and that makes it more authentic.
It is a clear six because you tell the story so well - and your rhyme scheme makes it harder to find exactly the right word every time - but you have managed it triumphantly.
When I began to read it, with my colonial background, I imagined that this would be about the slave trade, but it equally applies to Native Americans or First Nation peoples. It is worthy of all our weeping - and your picture brings it home: the damage has never been repaired.
Paul Manton
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Paul. Have you seen the movie, "Wind River"?
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I haven't seen 'Wind River' but I have written it down to look for asap.
Thanks for the information - and the exceptional poem.
Paul
Comment from Gloria ....
I live in an area of Canada where Indian Land entitlements have finally, after decades and decades of lobbying, come into fruition with positive benefit, other than a rage of burning Catholic churches after discovering the remains of hundreds of Indian children buried on Residential School grounds last year.
The transfer of land has caused some interesting outcomes. At first the Indian Chief assumed the grants given by the government were meant for him alone, so he became quite wealthy as he awarded all contracts to himself. As he stated that is what white men do.
Yes, some white men do that, because they are corrupt. Not all white men are corrupt. In fact, most are not. Your job as a leader is to look after your people, not yourself. The most discriminated and brutalized against are Indian women, because they are abused not only from others, but, also from their own men and women.
Terrific poem here with great use of allusion to the Trail of Tears that drove the Indians off their land to their death. It has taken hundreds of years for them to stand up and fight for their rights.
Wishing you much luck with the voters, here, Paul. :)
Gloria
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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I live in an area of Canada where Indian Land entitlements have finally, after decades and decades of lobbying, come into fruition with positive benefit, other than a rage of burning Catholic churches after discovering the remains of hundreds of Indian children buried on Residential School grounds last year.
The transfer of land has caused some interesting outcomes. At first the Indian Chief assumed the grants given by the government were meant for him alone, so he became quite wealthy as he awarded all contracts to himself. As he stated that is what white men do.
Yes, some white men do that, because they are corrupt. Not all white men are corrupt. In fact, most are not. Your job as a leader is to look after your people, not yourself. The most discriminated and brutalized against are Indian women, because they are abused not only from others, but, also from their own men and women.
Terrific poem here with great use of allusion to the Trail of Tears that drove the Indians off their land to their death. It has taken hundreds of years for them to stand up and fight for their rights.
Wishing you much luck with the voters, here, Paul. :)
Gloria
Comment Written 24-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Gloria. Justice was a long time coming.
Comment from lyenochka
Well said. At least, today we know more of the real story. As kids, the TV shows had the "cowboys vs. Indians" not giving the true story. Yet there has been revelation to the Native Paiute Peoples like the Ghost Dance movement where the gospel is celebrated as revealed to a Native. God can use even the horrible events to bring more to His Kingdom.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Well said. At least, today we know more of the real story. As kids, the TV shows had the "cowboys vs. Indians" not giving the true story. Yet there has been revelation to the Native Paiute Peoples like the Ghost Dance movement where the gospel is celebrated as revealed to a Native. God can use even the horrible events to bring more to His Kingdom.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Helen. You are so right about the cowboys and Indians games that we use to play.
Comment from l.raven
Hi Paul, the white man destroyed every
place they went...out of greed and hate...
not caring who they made homeless or
killed...and the sad part is...nothings changed...
there are good people in the world...but far
to many bad...
your poem touched my heart my sweet friend...
it's very well written...and your picture speaks for itself...
love Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Hi Paul, the white man destroyed every
place they went...out of greed and hate...
not caring who they made homeless or
killed...and the sad part is...nothings changed...
there are good people in the world...but far
to many bad...
your poem touched my heart my sweet friend...
it's very well written...and your picture speaks for itself...
love Linda xxoo
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Linda. Watch the movie "Wind River".
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I will Paul...your so very welcome sweet guy...love xxoo
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent entry. It has happened similarly in my country, to our shame. Very well written with fine rhyme and metre, of course. Sending best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Excellent entry. It has happened similarly in my country, to our shame. Very well written with fine rhyme and metre, of course. Sending best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Wendy. "Quigley Down Under" was a great example of your situation.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
You've produced a heartfelt and very powerful verse here as you recall in history "a day of woe" when strangers came proffering peace but ended up committing genocide on the original native settlers of the US. All that has been achieved is cruel "disarray" in the name of freedom, an imperious act of which many countries stand guilty, to the detriment and instability of our world. Thanks for sharing and good luck, Paul! Debbie
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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You've produced a heartfelt and very powerful verse here as you recall in history "a day of woe" when strangers came proffering peace but ended up committing genocide on the original native settlers of the US. All that has been achieved is cruel "disarray" in the name of freedom, an imperious act of which many countries stand guilty, to the detriment and instability of our world. Thanks for sharing and good luck, Paul! Debbie
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Debbie. Most of the indigenous people of the world have been treated this way.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Not just Native Americans, but we have made promises to Africans, as well. And we break our promises and have our way because we have power and guns.
We have stood behind the flag and lied for hundreds of years; we do it today. There are so many times I'm ashamed of our lies and the destruction we have caused across the globe.
A very powerful piece, Paul. This is so deserving of a win for this contest.
Pam
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Not just Native Americans, but we have made promises to Africans, as well. And we break our promises and have our way because we have power and guns.
We have stood behind the flag and lied for hundreds of years; we do it today. There are so many times I'm ashamed of our lies and the destruction we have caused across the globe.
A very powerful piece, Paul. This is so deserving of a win for this contest.
Pam
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Pam. I share your shame.
Comment from jake cosmos aller
a powerful and moving poem about the conflict between Europeans and the native Americans capturing the mood nicely, liked the reference to the trail of tears and like these lines the best
hey falsely said they came in peace;
The wolf was then all wrapped in fleece;
The hardships then would never cease.
The white man's here to stay.
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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a powerful and moving poem about the conflict between Europeans and the native Americans capturing the mood nicely, liked the reference to the trail of tears and like these lines the best
hey falsely said they came in peace;
The wolf was then all wrapped in fleece;
The hardships then would never cease.
The white man's here to stay.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023
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Thanks, Jake. This poem has been running around in my head for some time.