‘Poetry’ Archives
Even though you can’t see us, we never left
By MARCIE RENDON From Bdote rise Wic’ahpi OyateFrom the sky to the waters, the Star people riseFrom the birthplace of the people38 plus 2, their spirits ride September 22, 1862 Emancipation Proclamation ‘on this day…all people held as slaves Shall be free…’ December 26, 1862 ‘Anxious to not act with so much clemency… nor with so much severity as to be real cruelty… I ordered…’ 38 plus 2 Dakota hungFrom Mississippi Bluffs to Bde Maka SkaTheir warrior spirit’s rideAt Cloud Man’s Village, restTheir people exiledto the prairies of the west38 plus 2, their spirits rideEast to west, now back again In plain sight, in exileGreat-great-grandsons, soul weary, sit in Denny’sbrush black strands of hairOff foreheads lined with prison worryThey don’t let on they can hear38 plus 2, horse hooves clackJourneying east to westGreat-great-granddaughters from Little EarthPush [...]
REFLECTIONS
By FRANCES TRAPHAGAN The time came when there was a release of all that had been. Forgetting it wasn’t in the release. The release of all the anger and hatred that spewed out into things of no concern.The gentleness towards myself, the forgiveness of past injuries and the looking to today. Living in today not in the past and not in the future; now expressing the care and concern towards those I meet. Welcoming the kindness from them-- not taking their kindness for granted and not letting it dictate my choices. Not all kindness displayed towards me is in my best interest, but a lure for victimization. Today I welcome kindness but watch for hidden agendas. Questions in my mind----What do they want? As my inquiring mind touches on the experiences of my life, I learn to question and receive what is wanted and needed with reserve.It’s a new day with a new dawn, but the experiences I’ve had temper the day and I plan to have a good day. Frances Traphagan is a writer and a poet as [...]
A Walk in the Park
By DANETTE BILLUPS As I walk the trail around the park I hear the scrape of the jump rope and patter of feet on the ground. The children giggle as they take turns jumping, in an attempt to have the most consecutive jumps without tiring or becoming entangled in the ropes.I hear the bouncing of a ball on the basketball court. I see the ball tossed towards the rim, but it did not make it through the hoop. The sound reverberates as the ball bounces off the backboard. A crowd is gathering to watch the game. The leaves rustle as the wind gently gently caresses them. Birds are chirping and ducks are quacking in the pond. Light taps can be heard from the fountain of water springing forth in the middle of the pond.As I round the curve on the trail, I hear the ever so occasional airplane pass by overhead. A dog barks and the owner jogs along the trail with their furry friend.Children squeal with glee as they roll down the hill amongst the dandelions. There is another swift breeze of wind, [...]
