Where once they walked on rocks long forged
Of unforgiving steel
Their swords of bone raised to the sky
Their backs of bronze
Their glory claimed
None other could defy.
They held the land, they roamed their earth
And tamed the clouds to rule
When winds blew cold they knew no fear
Their sons were blessed
Such dignity
Enrobed them regally.
The Blackfoot, and the Comanche
Speak of Coyote bold
Who loosed the thousands to the land
Friend to the sun
Dark night their cloak
Not fist, the open hand.
Then came the foe from stranger climes
Where honor fell to greed
And claimed the sacred as their own
They came with scourge
They brought their sins
And cursed friend buffalo.
About the Creator
Marie McGrath
Things that have saved me:
Animals
Music
Sense of Humor
Writing
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Love Letters Through Time
Context: Grace (Gráinne) Gifford, was a participant in the Irish nationalist struggle against British rule, which led to ‘The Easter Rising’, Easter Monday, 1916 in Dublin, Ireland. She was betrothed to one of the leaders, who were due to be executed the morning after being taken prisoner. Joseph and Grace were married the night before in his prison cell. Joseph (Seosamh Pluinceid)) was one of the leaders of The Rising, a signatory of the Irish Proclamation and, in death, a revered Irish hero. These are my imaginings of ‘her’ final words to him. I include a few words in Irish Gaelic as the movement that led to the rebellion favored speaking Irish, instead of English. I would wager a guess, as they were both poets and writers in the Irish republican movement that she would have chosen to marry her love of country with her love of him in expressing her devotion.
By Marie McGrathExclusive • 11 months ago
Comments (4)
Wonderful words and reminded me of the John Cale song "Buffalo Ballet" https://youtu.be/XxX55JOYL-U?si=PHxIQx-8OpjH6sbd
Beautifully written- loved this "Where honor fell to greed. And claimed the sacred as their own" will mankind ever stop repeating itself??
Beautifully captures the strength and tragedy of indigenous cultures.
Amazing poem! Great work!