Reservation

by Deana   Apr 9, 2009


This was written for a club challenge, Take your birthday and month and write about an event that happened on that day in history.

January 31st, 1876 All Native Americans were ordered to move into the reservations.

The Reservation

I was just a maiden, drowning in disappointment
My body collapsed on the snow covered meadows
My hand frantically brushing the snow away
to touch the land, my land! the land of my
father before me.
My tears melted the snow as my heart realized
I would be taken from this place
My eyes would yearn for the sunset over
these familiar hills
My hands would recall the feel of mountain laurel
sticky to the touch

The white mans orders had reached our dying ears
What more could his selfish heart take from us
our dignity, our pride?
Many had he defeated, their eyes could no longer smile
Their heads lowered upon their mounts
Why did the white man despise us so?
The red of our skin, does it burn his evil soul?
The raven hair of our braves, long and flowing
Does he fear its flight?
How can he own what the spirit gave to all man
the earth that he walks upon.

I will walk in sadness in his invisible prison
Reservation! The white mans word for
murder of the spirit.
My tears will flow and form rivers, raging
beyond the boundaries of my understanding
I swear this night, I will not accept this fate!
He can hold my body on his reservation, but
at night on top of this mountain, my spirit will fly free
on the wings of an eagle, I will bathe in the streams as a beautiful creature, I will roam the hills as a wolf
My spirit is alive, he can never defeat me!

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Latest Comments

  • 15 years ago

    by Daisy if you do

    Deana,
    Wow, this is absolutely a stunning piece you have penned here. You have placed yourself very easily into the tellers point of view. I can only imagine this is as the thoughts she had. What a wonderful write.
    Take Care,
    Kay

  • 15 years ago

    by Rachel RTVW

    What a powerful and thought provoking piece. Great imagery and the depiction of how someone experiencing this tragedy felt was absolutely amazing and surreal. Excellent job!!

  • 15 years ago

    by Lu

    Deana I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I read this .... so much sadness that it makes me angry each time I think of the way people were treated.

    So much emotion put into this piece Deana. A powerful voice speaks through your words and reaches out to the world. Words that need to be heard !!!

    I will walk in sadness in his invisible prison
    Reservation! The white mans word for
    murder of the spirit.
    My tears will flow and form rivers, raging
    beyond the boundaries of my understanding
    I swear this night, I will not accept this fate!
    He can hold my body on his reservation, but
    at night on top of this mountain, my spirit will fly free
    on the wings of an eagle, I will bathe in the streams as a beautiful creature, I will roam the hills as a wolf
    My spirit is alive, he can never defeat me!
    ^^^

    Loved this ending Deana !!!! Your voice is heard dear heart .... and your spirit brings strength to many.

    You have penned a very touching piece on this challenge Deana !!!!!

  • 15 years ago

    by david hollas

    Iv missed your writing, its as good as i remember.

  • 15 years ago

    by BlueDreams

    My face surfaces in the green beveled glass Above the washstand. My hand print in thick black powder on the bedroom shade. Home I could drink like thin fire that gathers like lead in my veins, heart's armor..............between spoonfuls of canned soup and repeats to himself a word that belongs to a world no one else can remember......

    Dear Deana, What a beautiful write called poems. It was an amazing experience, We felt so lucky to be part of all this. It was an amazing experience, which really opened our eyes to all that surrounds us, and showed us how to really appreciate all that we’re given and are able to keep.

    Great Poems as always, Keep them coming, Take care.

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