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After Wounded Knee MAG

March 1, 2009
By Elise Lockwood BRONZE, Carmel, Indiana
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Elise Lockwood BRONZE, Carmel, Indiana
1 article 0 photos 0 comments
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You still wear that old war paint
(angry lines slashed above your eyes)
I can feel you waiting for the battle to come
(spikes of red staining your cheeks)
There are no pawing horses now
No painted hands on their haunches
(the number of warrior souls you stole)
No noonday sun beating on bare backs
No smell of sweat and leather and bravery
Puncturing the familiar woodsmoke
(breastplates of porcupine quills, feathers in hair)
No ululations of war, yelling at fear
No singing, no dancing, no tribes, no homes
(scars left from the struggle free from the sun)
Just a drum drum drum beat
(a piece of flesh left for the Great Spirit)
Piercing through dreams.

© Olivia E., Alto, MI

The author's comments:
This was inspired by the Battle at Wounded Knee in 1890, a massacre of the Sioux.
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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 129 comments.

violeteyes said...
on Sep. 11 2012 at 7:13 pm
So I know you're just trying to get recognition for your poem, but you have just posted the exact same comment on every poem on this site. It's kind of like spam. Just saying. By the way if you didn't bother to read the poems you comment on, you should, they are actually amazing. k bye
Mimi15 PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 20 2012 at 8:07 pm
Mimi15 PLATINUM, Belfast, Maine
49 articles 0 photos 73 comments
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This was so well done. You're a fantastic writer. If you don't mind, I'd love to hear your opinion of my poem Broken Structure. Cheers. :)
InkWriter13 said...
on Jun. 15 2012 at 7:52 pm
WOW! This is so vivid, so clear, so defined, so real, so alive. I LOVE your writing voice, diction, and style. It speaks with such a declaratoy, revealing tone that sets the world into a new perspective. LOVE it! Beautiful and sad, wonderful poem. Would you please read and comment on my poems titled I am the Mother of War? I would really appreciate it! :D
curlygurlray GOLD said...
on May. 2 2012 at 11:51 am
curlygurlray GOLD, Visalia, California
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you have the life you let yourself take.

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AMAZING JOB!(:
emilar said...
on May. 2 2012 at 10:25 am
This poem was amazing, I love the flash backs of the experience it parenthesis. The similes and verses were good. Keep writing.
MarieAntoinette2014 DIAMOND said...
on Apr. 10 2012 at 7:23 am
MarieAntoinette2014 DIAMOND, Scottsburg, Indiana
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Isn't it ironic? We ignore the ones who adore us, adore the ones who ignore us, love the ones who hurt us, and hurt the ones that love us.

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That's good. I've learned about that and a little of that flows in my veins.
Bookworm1997 BRONZE said...
on Feb. 4 2012 at 10:55 pm
Bookworm1997 BRONZE, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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You cannot open a book without learning something. -Confucious

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Great job! I learned about this in school a few months ago.
recurring_resilience SILVER said...
on Jan. 13 2012 at 5:57 pm
recurring_resilience SILVER, Ashburn, Virginia
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&quot;These are the times that try men&#039;s souls.&quot; - Thomas Paine.<br /> <br /> &quot;You don&#039;t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could&#039;ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.&quot; - On the Water Front<br /> <br /> &quot;This is my place of failure.&quot;

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Sorry I missed the little authors note.
recurring_resilience SILVER said...
on Jan. 13 2012 at 5:54 pm
recurring_resilience SILVER, Ashburn, Virginia
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Favorite Quote:
&quot;These are the times that try men&#039;s souls.&quot; - Thomas Paine.<br /> <br /> &quot;You don&#039;t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could&#039;ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.&quot; - On the Water Front<br /> <br /> &quot;This is my place of failure.&quot;

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Good poem but misplaced I think. Historically in indian history "Wounded Knee" was a massacre in whicn only ONE baby survived.. Did you intend that?
SophieG. SILVER said...
on Nov. 8 2011 at 3:48 pm
SophieG. SILVER, St. Davids, Pennsylvania
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I loved it, very beautifully written. Please check out my work!!!!
sunny.all.day. GOLD said...
on Aug. 12 2011 at 6:53 pm
sunny.all.day. GOLD, Potomac, Maryland
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&quot;If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.&quot;<br /> &mdash; A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)<br /> &quot;writing is a struggle against silence&quot; carlos fuentos<br /> You miss 100% of the shots you don&#039;t take.&quot;

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great job! at first I didn't understand the title, but then after reading the author's comment it made a lot more sense :) 
chrissie_star GOLD said...
on Jul. 21 2011 at 10:08 am
chrissie_star GOLD, Commerce, California
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 great poem !! do you mind checking out mine? its called "possibilities" tell me what you think :)
ArcaneGhost said...
on Apr. 2 2011 at 10:15 am
ArcaneGhost, Hendersonville, Tennessee
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I haven't.
ArcaneGhost said...
on Apr. 2 2011 at 10:14 am
ArcaneGhost, Hendersonville, Tennessee
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Ha! I usually can't deal with poetry, but I love when things are explained like that in parenthesis. Thumbs up.
IamtheshyStargirl PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 11 2011 at 6:24 pm
IamtheshyStargirl PLATINUM, Lothlorien, Utah
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Boredom instigates extreme creativity. <br /> ~Amoniel<br /> <br /> "Bowing gratefully to all of my subjects, 'thank you. Thank you. The pleasure is mine." Nah, I'm just kidding. We're all kings together.'" <br /> ~Thesilentraven

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Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

A whisper on the wind from a soul afraid to speak, for fear of shattering the glass of discovered beauty.

KatnissLupin BRONZE said...
on Mar. 11 2011 at 6:10 pm
KatnissLupin BRONZE, Midland, Texas
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that's the best poem I've read in a while!
jazzy16 BRONZE said...
on Mar. 11 2011 at 2:50 pm
jazzy16 BRONZE, Germantown, Maryland
1 article 1 photo 15 comments
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 definitly agree. most people write about love or death or school but this poem is different and a nice change-up with important references. keep on writing!
l.iney DIAMOND said...
on Mar. 11 2011 at 2:33 pm
l.iney DIAMOND, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
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This is really good and I love the work you put into it. Your an amazing writer and I would love to have your feedback on some of my pieceson the site! Awesome Poem!
emoticon BRONZE said...
on Feb. 17 2011 at 5:36 pm
emoticon BRONZE, Pasadena, Maryland
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Art comes before love.

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I thought it was okay I have seen better
Treckintime SILVER said...
on Jan. 26 2011 at 6:28 pm
Treckintime SILVER, Bradenton, Florida
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I really liked this. A lot of people are saying imagery but it's true the imagery is great. Can you please comment on my work?