Creative TraditionalCelebrating Mother Earth? Seasonal, Traditional & Rhyming poetry posts here. (i.e. sonnet, limerick, haiku & all other poetic forms as seen in the Poetry-Defined section.)
Two Sides Meet
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Your ancestors came with Columbus,
all of mine were here to greet them.
Your ancestors ways were strange to mine,
so mine were afraid to meet them.
ghostly people in big canoe
look down to pray - who they pray to?
sickly greenish color of skin
hair on body - on top is thin
try look in eyes, they so big rude
shows no respect - their ways are crude!
So ran the comments among the tribes
and your ancestors did the same.
Perhaps they tried but failed to see,
Native ways worked before they came.
shameless, naked, savages all
not civilized - we hear God's call
we will tame them, don't let them laze
we will teach them, they'll change their ways
no more redskins running around
any hiding, they will be found!
My ancestors had a government
in which only women could vote.
Thus, women had power and respect
and lessons were learned by rote.
They worshipped the one true creator:
"He-who-is-not-done-making-me".
With eyes wide open, raised heavenward.
Not inside, not on bended knee.
My ancestor's ways were strange to yours
But different doesn't mean bad
Somehow things worked out for now we all
Can be friends and that makes me glad!
Last edited by Altree94; 12-11-2006 at 03:56 AM.
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Dear Tree,
I loved this write. Very refreshing, and perhaps educational. I definitely can relate being quarter Cherokee. I loved the structure and the spacing, really put emphasis on which of the "two sides", was speaking, and giving each side powerful words. Very creative, and I did enjoy the summation of the ending stanza. The "Two Sides" coming together. Very Nice. Take Care.
Thank-you for your kind words, Kimberly! I find that when I start writing, I have a hard time knowing where, when and how to stop! There is so much more that could have been said but I felt that this was far too long already.
Cherokee? Well, our ancestors may have been enemies but I'm sure glad that all that nonsense is over! LOL!
Thanks again!
Biography: Jacquii Cooke is a 32 year old Black Poet from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As Webmistress of Poetry in Color Forum, she is devoted to the more abstract styles, especially those with a strong feminine voice that center around the topic of redemption and righting the wrongs of past transgressions.
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Hi TREE - very nice poem - I really enjoyed reading this one! I love works that seek to UNITE and this piece does exactly that - KIM said educational - I see that as well, but more of an inspirational piece that inspires groups to get over their differences and "Two Sides Meet" -----> Sometimes even for the very 1st time.
I think more importantly your work talks of a history that many would seek to deny; Perhaps because they're embarrassed of what their ancestors did?
The two distinct voices in this piece speak so very eloquently - it's like a narrator and translator type of deal - or more accurately, a narrator and a witness... If that even makes sense LOL
I love the laid-back style of the witness though, as if he's retelling the story of what happened in his childhood:
we will tame them
don't let them laze
we will teach them
they'll change their ways
The very last lines really sum up how a better UNITY through spirituality, faith and mutual respect can be accomplished; Letting history be history, without losing site of where we came from is what this piece is about to me...
Somehow things worked out for now we both
Can be friends, best buds and be glad.
This was so powerful I thought.
And as I have said I'll have do more research on my mother's side of my family as well as my dad's side. My parents had separated when I was about six or seven i guess. The story goes something like my great -great grandmother on my mother's side was an Indian who had dark wavy hair down to her lower back or somewhere down their lol.
Thanks ......this brought back the memory of more of the history of my family
I am honored to have Indian as part my family as part of who I am. You have great talent I like the whole center of the page thing.
Thank-you MsJ and michael! Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! (still learning my way around) (slow learner) (LOL!).
MsJ: Very insightful comments! I do believe that whatever happened in the past should stay in the past - we don't need it in our present and certainly don't want it in our future! This is also true of to-days relationships and one-on-one interactions. Thank-you!
michael - As you delve deeper into your history, I am sure you will find it a very rewarding experience. After all - how can we know if we are going backward or forward if we don't know where we have been? Thanks again for your comments - VERY much appreciated!
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