mamakaadakamig
instructions for disappearing
mamakaadakamig is Ojibwe for disappear
but I am not First Nation
nor practiced in the art
I only need to get it right … once
…
as a boy, I often dreamt of vanishing in the woodlands
away from the judgement and torment of my peers
surviving alone by my pluck and my wits
…
in a place where it’s easy to get lost
when the days grow short
and the tamarack and trembling aspen
glow in the golden light of autumn
…
away from cruel jibes and stares
the sudden shove or trip
papers taped to my back saying ‘kick me’
…
the desire growing to commit unflinchingly
to a lake in the far north
where frigid nights bring killing frosts
and blustery November winds prophesy December snows
…
but now I am old, jaded about the future
the bullies from childhood leading our once polyglot nation
kidnapping immigrants in the guise of securing borders
…
I pack food, warm clothing and heavy blankets
but dress lightly for paddling and portaging
sweating is deadly as numbing frostbite
though mamakaadakamig will come more quickly if I do
…
while amnesiac rulers persecute freedom of expression
soil our sacred founding documents
work tirelessly to take from us our freedoms for sake of liberty
…
this I hope to find in the stillness of northern waters
on lost trails in the boreal forest
or in the grandeur of eagles soaring upon the wing
a flint only for fire and a tent to call my home
…
away from the wretched 24-7 outrage cycle
away from gaslighting and pathologizing of dissent
away from the political machines grinding truth into dust
…
better the return to the purity of nature
escaping the noise and manmade light and corrupted air
where bird song echoes undiminished in the forest hush
and the bobcat, fox and snowy owl hunt the Arctic hare
…
‘woe to those who call evil good or good evil
who put darkness for light and light for darkness
that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter’
…
for winter has come to the far north
and I lay upon a bed of pine straw in my snowy bower
my flesh pleasantly lethargic and numb
the release of a longed for escape a whisper upon the wind
…
for those who erase others will one day erase themselves
our forgotten voices echoing in the wasted canyons of tomorrow
and mamakaadakamig descends gently, like an abandoned dream
About the Creator
John Cox
Twisted teller of mind bending tales. I never met a myth I didn't love or a subject that I couldn't twist out of joint. I have a little something for almost everyone here. Cept AI. Aint got none of that.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan7 days ago in Beat
Comments (21)
👏👏👏 Hats off to you, my friend. I believe this is on point with what they are looking for. The imagery and language are so convincing. The reality is sobering. Now, it's my turn to say, this is a masterpiece! Happy belated congrats on TS, John! Hope to be back here after the results!
Congratulations on your Top Story: I love how you weave your words with such creative imagery.
congrats on top story and your placement- captivating tale on all levels
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story and Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
ohhhhhhhh - absolutely superb. I loved the switches in scenes and thoughts. You nailed it! this I hope to find in the stillness of northern waters on lost trails in the boreal forest or in the grandeur of eagles soaring upon the wing a flint only for fire and a tent to call my home … away from the wretched 24-7 outrage cycle You put us there in the clear words of memories and longings. I love this poem, John!
So good to see this recognized. Congratulations John on Top Story
Here we are again, weak and helpless, moved to and fro by the magic of your words...fabulous story, John. Congrats on a spectacular top story
I like the language nod to Ojibwe in the first stanza, an opening I wasn't expecting but loved because of that. Theres a journey here, in both mind and land. The paper taped on the back saying 'kick me' makes me feel low enough to heed every instruction. 'November winds prophecy December snows', beautiful. This line brings a mind behind the months and changing season 😍 Bringing awareness of the once polyglot nation, was thoughtful and grounds this poem to the depth of your empathy. John. You've outdone yourself here. I remember a poem of yours I read back when. I don't remember the title, but I remember how I felt. And I wrote a long comment much like this one because I was so moved by it. That's how I feel with this one too. I remember you saying that you can't help writing on a certain topic mentioned within that poem. Something close to that. This one flowed so so well, I could not remove my eyes from my screen neither could I refuse to feel what you were feeling when writing this. Outstanding work John and congratulations on your Top Story 🤗❤️👏🏾👌🏾
Excellent work, though I am an expert at disappearing
Nice.. congratulation on your top story
Exceptional piece and entry to the challenge, John! Really made me stop and think. I believe so many can relate to the theme of longing for peace in a hostile/unjust world. Bravo!! Good luck in the challenge!!!
"for those who erase others will one day erase themselves" This line was so deep and so true. Your poem is the sad reality of what's actually happening. I wish things weren't this way
A tip top spot of poetry, and I hope it wins 😁
John, If this doesn't get recognized in the challenge then I do not know how the judges choose the winners. Form your opening line you place us in a world of time that no longer exists yet lingers forever in our world. Moving, stunning, amazing. I truly cannot say enough about this piece. No one line... all are great.
This line: for those who erase others will one day erase themselves I am still thinking about the wisdom of this, the succinct drawing of thought into this statement to make it poignant.
You've done it again. Your writing is so important. This back-and-forth is the pendulum in the pit, and I don't know what's sadder: no longer having the pristine vs living in the obscene. The pendulum swings, my friend, and it cuts deep...eventually. Sooner or later the vital organs will spill out of our nation.
Damn sir, was heartbroken for you when I read your reply to Ms Hubler's comment. I echo her sentiments. This is a stunning piece. I think it could be one of your best. Which is saying a lot as you hit the peaks more than the troughs. Sorry you missed the deadline, but this has Top Story allover it and maybe you'll get leaderboard love out of it! Either way, know this that you have impressed your fellow asshole! I wish for that kind of life sometimes, quite a lot actually. Really can't be arsed with people in general. lol. Take a bow, my friend.
As always you give us a lot to think about from ourselves to others. Great job.
This was such a phenomenal poem! I think a lot of people can relate to the frustrations you vent here right now.
I wish they could erase themselves a little sooner. A lovely poem, you could feel the pull into the dream of nature
This was astonishing, John!!! Winner, winner!! I felt (and have been feeling) every word, every nuance, every thought. It's no wonder people are drawn to the life of a recluse or a homesteader, off grid. This world is almost too much anymore. Incredible piece.