The fate of Pinal Apache
Came silently one night.
The Arizona Calvary
Before next morning light,
A masacre, Indians forsake
For stolen cattle they'd partake
A massacre
A massacre
To kill them all, make no mistake.
Apaches tho' they bravely fought,
Their band, no contender.
All driven to the mountain top,
Would refuse surrender.
A certain death, rode off the cliff
To escape the Calvary's miff
A certain death
A certain death
Extreme penalty for this tiff.
Grief struck families mourned the dead,
Haunting legend n'er died.
A torrent of tears had been shed
Which later petrified...
Apache tears and sun bleached bone,
Their warrior spirit all but gone
Apache tears
Apache tears
Great sorrow embedded in stone.
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Author notes
The sadness was so great, and their burden of sorrow so sincere that the Great Father embedded into black stones the tears of the Apache Women who mourned their dead. These black obsidian stones, when held to the light, reveal the translucent tear of the Apache. The stones are said to bring good luck to those possessing them. It is said that whoever owns an Apache Tear Drop will never have to cry again, for the Apache Women have shed their tears in place of yours ~ The photo
courtesy of... http://www.firstpeople.us/FP Htmlegends/Apache_Tear_Drop-Apache. html ~ The Trijan Refrain, created by Jan Turner, consists of three 9-line stanzas, for a total of 27 lines. The beginning line of each stanza can be different for variation. The first four syllables of line 5 in each stanza are repeated as the double-refrain for lines 7 and 8. The Trijan Refrain is a rhyming poem with a set meter and rhyme scheme as follows: Rhyme scheme: a/b/a/b/c/c/d,d refrain of first 4 words of line five/c ~ Meter: 8/6/8/6/8/8/4,4 refrain/8.
A contest entry
- The Essence of Stone..... by torn dragonfly.
700 points, ended January 16, 2008, 9 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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In the early years of my life, I learned about the American Indians ~ as well as the fact on my Mothers side I too ~ am part Cherokee Indian... I even know my great, great, great, great, grandmothers name... ~ there has always been a compassion toward the trials of the American Indians... Although, I do understand when the spaniard landed upon this land.... Certain tribes massacred those people.... maybe out of fear... maybe just because they could... ~ I don't think I'll or anyone will know the truth to why... It's interesting on how one cultures view events. One proclaims absolution of justice, where as the other view may be simply murderers. ~ It's nice to see someone is willing to accept the maybe we were the bad guys.... ~ There is a great pride seen within the American Indian... ~ Your right certainly conveys that!
The form was nicely done~ the rhyming was a little forced but still very nicely put together.... Overall ~ it's an awesome tribute to American History some folks do not know about.
Thanks for entering the "Set the Bar" contest ~ I really appreciate you sharing your work with me~ Good luck to you
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I haven't been around for awhile, but I remembered you commenting on MY poem that you were going to attempt this form, and went searching for it.
I'm glad I did! This form is so often use as a lighthearted singsong. This cadence has a mystical, almost reverent quality to it that lends itself well to storytelling, and now YOU have mastered it to a mournful chant. Its brilliant. It certainly deserves its trophy! -
Congrads on the thrphy, it is well deserved. So you beat the teacher huh? I knew it was only a matter of time, this is awsome!
Love,
Amera♥
PS: I already commented on it so it won't let me leave more bunnys. -
Beautiful legend described here as sorrowed verse.
Wonderful take on the theme leaving the reader with contemplations of shameful history and the certainty that each myth has a basis in truth.
Blue
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This was an absolutely beautiful write! I loved the structure, flow, and especially the story behind it! Intense write. Great job
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You did a stunning job with the form and writing of this important sharing of native american history. To have Apache Tears is to have something that represents your tears..and the tears of the grandmothers who weep with and for you. Yes....wonderful job at informing and education. Stunning!!!!!
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You are becoming quite excellent with using forms. Your language soars above the structure as it should. The meaning and the tale takeing precidence over technique. Well done.
Love, Tom B.
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what a beautiful depiction of the legend behind the Apache Teardrops. I really like the form you've used, very creative. I may have to try one myself sometime. A very interesting and enjoyable read. Well done!
Rory
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OMG! This is fantastic! You penned a deep and sad emotion in a Trijan Refrain. I never thought of using this form for a painfull image, it's very well done.
Love,
Amera♥
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My, what a terrible story and how beautifully you took the prompt and wrote a noteworthy poem, of great depth. Your knowledge of so many different forms never fails to amaze me. You must work for hours, getting the counts just right, while at the same time telling, in poetic form, a devastating story. The refrain adds so much to the theme. Best wishes in this contest, and a blessed holiday!
Love, Shana
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WOW!! An Amazing poem my friend. I am glad to have been honored to have read this. The Native Americans are a brave and honorable people and it is terrible how they were treated. I like he form as well but it sounds quite complicated to me or it is the late hour.
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freespirit51
It's nothing YOU couldn't pull off... I'm pretty positive on that!!!
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Very good this was very good. For someone who has just began you are quite a talent I see a little Amera in you here.
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Swan song
Very sweet comment! Amera is the best-est! And a very good influence for me, as I stumble down the path!
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I meant every word!!!!
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Well you finally managed to absolutely stun me!!! And not many people can do that!!! This is the most superb piece of poetry on this site and I am not just saying that.... You really out did yourself on this one!! The imagery of such a tragic event literally broke my heart. It is aweful that such a thing was allowed to happen but you really did justice on this tribute to them. I stand in awe...humbly bowing down!!
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You're so sweet and silly...!!! I do appreciate the compliment immensely though I wish I could find my Apache Tears, but sadly they may have been lost while moving...
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well
just excellent my poet friend and a slice of history unknown to me. Get me one of those stones please
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