Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

This is an excellent poem for a Day of Woe contest. Although I had nothing to do with it, I'm saddened and ashamed of what was done to the Native Americans. The US broke so many treaties and pushed the off their land. I particularly like these lines:
They falsely said they came in peace;
The wolf was then all wrapped in fleece;

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Beth. Throughout this world, the white man has left his mark on many indigenous people.

Comment from Jacob1395

Excellent

This is a powerful piece that looks at how colonisation has affected the communities of people who once had their lands for their own, before settlers came and took it for their own. I could really feel the sorrow in this man's heart for what had happened to his country and it made me angry to think of what has happened in the past. This is an excellent piece of writing. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Jacob. It made me angry while writing this poem.

Comment from jenintorre

Excellent

This is such a sad and poignant story in a poem. Such terrible things going on in the world. It is so unthinkable that children have to suffer. Best of luck in the competition. Jen.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Jen. Have you seen the movie "wind River"?

reply by jenintorre on 24-Oct-2023

No I haven?t

reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

You should watch it.

reply by jenintorre on 24-Oct-2023

Will I be traumatized by it? I can?t bear cruelty.

reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

It is sad, and there is some violence. It illustrates what has become of the native American.

reply by jenintorre on 24-Oct-2023

O.K. I?ll give it a go

reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

I think it is one of Jeremy Renner's best roles.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. Another example of the many lies our government has told with desire to keep. Yes, what we did to the Native Americans is tragic. Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Barb. Watch the movie "Wind River".

Comment from Mrs. KT

Exceptional

Hello, Paul,
Incredibly moving, and unfortunately, so very true.
For years it was my privilege to teach English, reading and writing to member of the Grand Traverse Tribe of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians.
They were my students, but they taught me much more than I ever taught them...
Thank you for sharing this deeply important poem.

Best Wishes,
diane

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Diane. I am a retired teacher. It must have been a great experience teaching those people.

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

This well structured poem reminds the white readers of how we lied to the Native Americans about coming in peace, then stole their land and killed their people. Seems we did much the same to the black race too. Doesn't speak well of us as hatred for other ethnic groups still exists.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Shari. We have a lot to be ashamed of in our past.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

This is an amazing poem, and completely true. How can we white people hold our heads up? We stole, murdered, raped and plundered. Who were the real savages? I do hope you win this contest, it's the best one I've read in a long time. Very well done, Paul. Good luck! Sandra xx

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks, Sandra. I'm having trouble holding my head up.

reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 24-Oct-2023

😂🤣

Comment from Daylily

Excellent

Deceit is an ugly word, but it fills the pages of history--for far too many countries worldwide. While Governments are behind the unjust situation described so well in this poetic entry, scores of people within any and every nation are not race haters. The key to correction is to make wise picks from the people running for offices. Hopefully, only the honest, unselfish, and caring candidates will be elected. The greedy, unjust, and power-hungry ones need to fall by the wayside.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Oct-2023

Thanks for the review, Daylily. Most of the good people are repelled by the political scene.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Isn't it funny? We will proudly gather in familiar clubs, Pat ourselves on the back, and say, 'we are the successful ones in this world, we are truly free', when Jesus said, the truth will set you free, He didn't mean just for you, it wasn't a club promise, but you would understand that you could free others, that's why freedom and truth are a universal language. Beautifully written Paul, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023

Thanks, Roy. This was one of those poems that I wrote in a very short time span.

reply by royowen on 23-Oct-2023

Yep, they are the best. Less editing etc.

Comment from Iza Deleanu

Exceptional

Quite dramatic your poem and packed with the flavor of the day racism, discrimination, poverty. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest and with your writings.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2023

Thanks, Iza. This has been running around in my head for quite awhile.