Who knows how many fell,
On the walk that way?
A trail remembering 4,000…
Those originals of this troubled land
Its’ native clans’ forced by some rocky ways
Has any soul kept its’ count?
That insidious “One-Drop rule”…
How many dripped down through the ages?
And those “Black Codes” of 1800s relic
Tears trail these cheeks…
I never met the Lakota Sioux at
“Wounded Knee”
Or the Cherokee Nation on its’
“Trail of Tears”
And no one knows how many drops are in me…
Yet I cry…
I cry for my own soul
I cry for those
Who fell before their tears (hit the ground)
My mixed ancestry shivers in me
What of all those ebony drippings?
Leaving its’ trailing tears…
Author notes
Just had a fleeting thought...then it wouldn't 'fleet' away (lol). I think my work on ancestry-stuff roused this...?
In a list
Comments
1 - 62 of 62
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This is amazing...
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Thank you very much. Wonderful of you to read from me.
AsIThink...
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this is really good. i love the depth and emotion portrayed
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Hey, I'm so sorry that I missed this comment. Thank you very much for it. Glad that you enjoyed this one.
AsIThink...
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aw this is a wonderful write so full of depth and feeling when we think truely of our generations do we truely find a completeness of who we truely are thank you for sharing
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Thank you for 'flying' down and landing here. I appreciate what you have to say about this subject. And I see that the keen sense that I thought I detected about you was 'spot-on' - you've made a very astute observation in my opinion.
- Glad that you liked this as you do.
AsIThink...
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No loss is ever insignificant: not even one, no matter the circumstances. Surely we must, each one of us, carry some subliminal instict of past devastations. As such we must also in our own ways deal with our own survival. How we do this, I am positive, will undoubtably impact our next generations-hopefully for their betterment, An interesting write that (obviously) stirred in me contemplations...such is good poetry...peace
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What a remarkable bit of insight I think, "No loss is ever insignificant: not even one". Thank you for your keen sense of life and the deep merit of the human soul. I love how you saw this piece Michael; it brought a wonderful feeling to me and a deep sigh too. I'm ver y glad that you got the chance to read this one and left me such a reflective comment (and such great praise as well).
AsIThink...
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What a wonderful write about your ancestry. Truly excites the notion of what true heritage is in ones past. Beautiful and superb write.
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You have (again) paid such wonderful salutes to me here. I have to admit that this is a personal favorite of mine and seeing what you thought of it brought a smile to my face (plus a sigh of inspiration).
AsIThink...
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So many of us have such heritage and fail to recognize the importance of such reflections. I love the beautiful title and its significance to the rest of the piece. You brought out so well I think, the connection we have to one another. My tears may fall as yours and make a similar hue when they mix with the dust, even without the same blood. Humanity is indeed connected, and those lost are our brothers. Beautiful poetry.
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Oh gosh, you're here, huh? Yes, you are so correct. I have to say that I agree so easy with you. You've really left a deep impact on me by commenting so graciously as you have. I'm thrilled by your response to this one. I am very big on pointing out (when I can), the connectedness of us all. This is one of my personal favs so when I noticed that you made it to this, my heart quickened...thank you so much.
AsIThink...
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You know I am part Cherokee , some hid out in NC and are still here . What would really upset you would be the power plants and and private buyers
in the late 50s and early 6os and even later. condemned property to make lakes if you did not sell. I never claimed my heritage with the government I want them no part in my life then they are. you write so well
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I am moved so much by your words Rheea. You have left a mark on me by sharing this with me - thank you for that. What sad tragedies so many can tell. And what stories the silence holds, huh? A lot of pain here I can see. I really appreciate your visit and reading (especially of this particular piece; it's one of my personal favs). I think that I can understand your position on the issue. I'll be by your way again soon (God-willing).
AsIThink...
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It's good to see poems on the terrors that Natives went through, it makes me cringe to think of these people living valued lives and then 'we' ruined them. Ruined their lives, made them the enemy that we really were to them and ourselves, I once read that after the Apaches were removed, the whites who fought were ten times worse. I have a lot of books on Natives and that time. A good one on West Coast Indians. Do you know of University of Oklahoma Press?
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Hello celadia, so good to see you again. I've been meaning to visit you more often but keep getting side-tracked. So now I'm on my way over to your page on a different screen (ah-ha!). Anyway, thank you very much for this wonderful feedback. Life is filled with peril isn't it? I think one of the greatest failings of men is not 'so much' that we point fingers at one another; but that we have particed the 'art' of seeing mostly (or only) what gets us what we want. I don't know...so sad. I only have a few books on Native Americans (not "West Coast Indians" either) but have read a good deal about them over the years. It is a long, painful story (but I have not minded reading it). And no, I do not know of "University of Oklahoma Press". Send me via IM any relevant information you want to share with me. Thank you again.
AsIThink...
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That was beautiful.
Nice Job. Honestly. -
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What a fantastic comment. Thank you so much. I appreciate the time and visit. (And your 'avatar' comment: hilarious). I'll be by for a visit for your pages soon.
AsIThink...
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wow i wish i could write like you. this poem has so much emotion in it. i really enjoyed reading it
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Thank you very much for your wonderful comment here. Sorry I missed it before now. I'm glad you liked it. I hope to read from you soon.
AsIThink...
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Sir
I must say there is such great emtion in this fine write. And as always should be a story of sadness but a learning experience for the reader.
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Bob, this coming from someone of your skill and depth means a lot to me. Heck, it would be important to me regardless of who said it; but it wonderful to hear it from you. I'm truly honored. Thank so much for this reading and commenting.
AsIThink...
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Terrible, but it seems it is what we know best.
I would be less fearful of God and hell were it not for the fact that there is so much room to make such a thing.
Good of you to remember!
John-Nevada USA
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Remarkable isn't it? Yes, there is (probably) too much room for mistakes. But it hasn't stopped us yet...Thank you for this read. And it's good to see you haven't been to this one before (smiling).
AsIThink...
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A true delight to read
I grew up watching cowboys and Indians in movies and TV shows. Indians were always the bad guys as I remember, yet I always took their side. To me they were beautiful and very powerful. A true native American would have bled from the heart at such portrayal, These people were real, they walked this earth long before us and should never be forgotten. Ancestry is important to acknowledge in all cultures and should be encouraged. Your poem is sad and also beautiful in the way you tell this yarn. Bleed they did at wounded knee and leave a trail of tears, such they suffered for white mans fears. Well penned and full of raw emotions.
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Thank you very much for your feedback and these thoughtful comments. I really appreciate it. Yes, history and ancestry both go hand-in-hand in my mind - neither should be forgotten. Unfortunately though, it is one of the defining traits (albeit, not our crowning achievement) that we tend to forget so much...one of life's crazy lessons maybe? True Native Americans have 'bled' from their hearts at those nutty portrayls. So sad how any man's fears should leave trails of tears and pain; unfounded calmaties... Thank you again for your insight and commenting.
AsIThink...
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beautiful!!
this is a really nice peace of work...you had me thinking of my own tears..touching! well done
juliet
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You surprise me with these wonderful, thoughtful comments. Thanks so much for the visits. I feel touched by your words tonight. I'm so glad to see you liked this (it's one of my personal favorites).
AsIThink...
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BRAVO! BRAVO!
I hear ya...i could barely stand it myself...when
standing upon that ground...the beauty of the land
was bold and vivid...and "knowing" the march of the
walk ...filled me such emotion i asked my hubby to please
take me out of this place...it was just too overwhelming.
ears/Seattle
way to write and inspire us deeply!
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You are indeed being modest, for this is an exceptional write, full of anguish and questions that cannot be answered but by asking, they raise an awareness in the reader. This is truly an enjoyable read. Well done.
Rory
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Wow, thank you so much for this read. I am honestly humbled by your comments. I read your work (that short story...and it was one heart-wrenching read). So to see you here, saying what you just said is great to hear. I had not yet had the chance to send you that link (I was searching for another piece I had but can't recall the name...O well). Thanks again.
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Man Moved and...
didn't follow the rules of truth. Took over with lies and his own desease. Not an ounce of English nor French in me. Always thought alittle french. Mom said nope. Scottish, Swedish and alittle native. A pinky full by now.
Rumors among the family my ancesters were all hellraisers and kept getting kicked out of countries until they ended up here. hahahaha... luckly they finally all died the law could breath easy.
Anyways really though on the serious note. This is some wicked poem. Not one funny thing about what happened to those people.
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Thank you so much for this thoughtful feedback. This piece was important to me. I had been doing some geneaology stuff and sitting with a good friend of mine who is just about finished with his book on the subject. My mind was flooded and I realized that releasing this was better for me than holding it in...Yeah, nothing funny about what happened in this situation. Really appreciate your wonderful comments.
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This is so beautiful, it brings clarity to the sound of distant drums for me. That's how it makes me feel.
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Wow...thank you very much. Thank for reading this piece; for stopping by my page. I really appreciate this. I'm happy that you let me know how this affected you. I'll return the favor very soon...
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This was magnificent! Bravo...well done! I love the trail you blazed! This read should force readers to seek knowledge of self as well as those who actually came before them. Great job! Read your history or it'll end up "his story"!
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wow that's a great poem
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Thanks so much for your kind words. I also thank you for these recent visits and adding me to your favs list. I've got a lot of feedback from you and promise to return the favor very soon...(God-willing).
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This piece really touched me. First of all the title just caught my attention and the words that followed were extraordinary. You spoke honestly and with true conviction to your beliefs. A pleasure to read.
Soulful Woman
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Incredibly moving itself, this comment sends me to my reflection-pool; I feel humbled by this. My intent was for a 'from-the-guts/soul' outpour that was tugging at the fringes of my soul. I'm deeply appreciative of your lovely comments here. Thank you very much.
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Very Good!!
Your poem is very good! I appreciate the fact that you acknowledge the ancestors. For without them we would not be. -
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Well said. Thank you so much for the thoughtful consideration and feedback.
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Beautifully Written!
Wow..This is an amazing write! It is so full of emotion, and I can feel the depth of the pain throughout Nice job! Blessings, Patty
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Wow...you have touched me deeply and I'm so happy that this touched you the way it did. I know it wasn't a mere exercise to post this...what I never imagined is that it could have the effect it seems to have had so far. Thanks for honoring me here...
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i love dis poem but i dont get it..... oh well i get it inuff 2 say its good!!! lols xxxx
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Well, either way I'm really glad that you responded to this and loved it. I'm honored by this comment. Thanks so very, very much.
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Great poem speaking volumes on the past. It is so true that our ancestors have suffered, no matter who our ancestors are, they have paved the way for us. Great write!
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I tip my hat to you...this is a heartfelt response to something that almost leaped out of my heart onto the keypad. I appreciate this wonderful feedback. Thank you very much.
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Beautifully melancholly.
I have a bit of Cherokee ancestry, so I really felt this one. Respect to all that have come and fallen before us. Amazing.
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Thank you very much for this warm, unexpected feedback. I'm very honored by it. Glad you could relate/feel this. It makes me gald to have posted it. Thanks again for the visit and comments.
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YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY HEART WITH SO MUCH COMPASSSION, WOW I READ IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE IT IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL. GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND...
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It's you, who have touched me. This is an incredibly rewarding comment. This makes this piece more important to me. Thank you very much for your kindness to me here.
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I am 1/8 Choctaw, ancestors from Alabama. My Great grandfather was a Medicine Man. Very influential in his community. This poem touched the core of me. I love the title. I have felt these "ebony drippings", long before they touched the dirt of my beginnings. Excellent work here dear poet. Thanks for the invite! I hope you don't mind me adding you to my "favorites list".
Renee
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Wow...you have paid me this huge honor. Thank you very much for making this trip here. A friend of mine has a book he's almost finished (not poetry-ancestry/history) that I've been following through to near-completion. It has moved me way past "go"... I also thank you for a peek into your history and the 'core of you' that this poem touched. I'm humbled...I hope you don't mind me adding you to MY "favorites list" as well.
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That's what was so wonderful
about being Americans...we have many voices of dna,
and ancestory that whispers poetically in our souls
for release. I really enjoyed this poem and was
haunted too by how you wrote it...asking the those
ebony dripping questions...
well done! well done!
ears/Seattle
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You really are an incredible commentor (and poetic too...lol). What fantastically, flattering remarks... I feel honored. I appreciate your interest in my work. Thank you very much.
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very good!!!!!!! i really enjoyed it alot.
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Thank you very much. I'm touched by this wonderful comment. Glad you enjoyed it...
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Simply Amazing!
Very well done! OMG! This is so great! This piece is very powerful. I also have "Native American" blood, so this is something I feel strongly about. This is a very beautiful piece, most sad, and very well thought. Wonderful write here. I can't even come up with the things that seem appropriate to say! Well penned Dear Poet!! Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!
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Thank you very, very much. I think you just did come up with the words. Your comments are deeply touching. I feel a sense of excitement about how this piece has been received (I have shared it with a few other people offline). If no one else said a single thing about this again, I wouldn't feel any less honored than I do right now. Thanks a million for the review and appreciation.
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OH MY GOD
THIS IS POWERFUL! I have to hold back the choked-up feeling in my throat, I state to you now this a one of your best ever! honest to god.
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Wow...thanks a lot. Just some thoughts lurking around behind my hairline (smiling). Wasn't sure if it was something anyone would appreciate. I know it affected me (of course that's why I posted it)...thanks for the read and powerhouse comments; very encouraging.
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