Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO SITTING BULL, by GERTRUDE B. GUNDERSON First Line: There is no prophet without honor, save Last Line: Our prairie when injustice is abroad. Subject(s): Messiah; Native Americans; Prisons & Prisoners; Prophecy & Prophets; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America; Convicts | ||||||||
"There is no prophet without honor, save In his own country." We called you Ishmaelite, Although you worshipped Wakantanka The Father whom we white folks also claim Our inspiration. As the seers of old You often went aside and talked with Him That you might know His message to the Sioux ... The Great White Father claimed your hunting grounds; But you, dissenting from his agent's rule Protested for your people. Could not he Perceive the longings of the Red Man's heart, His urge for timeless solitude of soul Among the peace-crowned peaks of Paha Sapa? His love of freedom, native as the air, His yearning for unbroken prairie spaces Where rhythmic years sweep by with bated breath? Your dreams deniedmagnificent and fearless, You fought for primal rights to this good land; But, might was right as you soon realized, And avarice a stronger urge than treaties. Now, hunted, harried and in desperation, You sent your messengers to Gros Ventres, Blackfeet, Araphoes, Shoshones and the Oglala Sioux, To pray to Wakantanka tirelessly, To send you a Messiah in your need. With stirring incantations and ghost dances Your medicine was worked to bring Him down. The Great White Father interferedwith guns. Religion such as that was not allowed. Your forces all were scattered to the winds Your prayers died down ... Messiah did not come. Your prayers had struck a silent, leaden sky.... Your braves turned traitorsfood is good to have, And soldiers' uniforms were safer than the jails... For you no prison, nor yet banishment Was safe, for those might grant you martyrdom. A shot by some base traitor settled that.... Immortal sleep is yours on Standing Rock reserve, But often your unconquered spirit stalks Our prairie when injustice is abroad. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SECULAR GAMES by RICHARD HOWARD WHAT DID YOU SEE? by FANNY HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS BOTHWELL: PART 4 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN BOTHWELL: PART 4 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN WORK IN PROGRESS by CHARLES MARTIN THE SUBCULTURE OF THE WRONGLY ACCUSED by THYLIAS MOSS DISILLUSIONMENT by GERTRUDE B. GUNDERSON |
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