Arikara Born

I like many others have lived in our dreams In this world where I lived amongst forests and streams Where the Great Plains stretched and our rivers flowed If you could see through my eyes, how my tribe glowed Born from my mother of Arikara descent My father a Sioux warrior, his stature, augment My growing up was no different than the others around For the learnings that grew from our ancestors surround Hunting and fishing, being told of the dangers in life Cultural indifferences, to fearing tribal strife But it's what my father taught me every single day To learn from our lands for through the years they'd display Tracking, seeking, searching, living from our lands Every year more learned, growing in understand From a boy to a man becoming a warrior through my years Protecting what was ours, allaying modern fears But the changes that we faced, suffocated our souls There was only ever one outcome, other man's goals I like many others, to live and eventually fall Born from Arikara, Sioux, my name was 'Standing Tall' .<*>. A little story from my heart, where the Indigenous will always be.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Gauthier Avatar
January 17, 2021 at 5:48 PM
Awesome piece, James. I love the nobility it exudes. So glad to find it in the pages of the 2020 PS Anthology ~
Fraser Avatar
March 5, 2022 at 6:37 AM
Thank you so much Line :)
De La Luna Avatar
October 20, 2014 at 8:35 PM
Your words have a heart and a beautiful soul. Glad to have read it today. thank you for the visit to my page and leaving kind words for my piece. God bless you, James! :))
Kopec Avatar
July 21, 2014 at 11:03 AM
Nice poem I like the idea of standing tall
Fraser Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 12:08 PM
Thank you Patrycjusz, James :)
Eastman Avatar
July 21, 2014 at 9:38 AM
Caught your Blog. Definately an amazing poem in all aspects. Loved the developing story.
Fraser Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Thank you kindly Carol, much appreciated, James :)
Roberts Avatar
July 21, 2014 at 12:43 AM
oh yes, I read this on facebook didn't I , just wonderful , perfect entry for the contest
Fraser Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Thank you kindly Francine, James :)
Chircop Avatar
July 20, 2014 at 4:07 PM
Outstanding thoughts bleeding from your soul!!Wowzer
Fraser Avatar
July 25, 2014 at 11:58 AM
Thank you Charmaine. It's a poem I love to go back and read and can't believe it was me who wrote it, James :)
A   Avatar
July 18, 2014 at 4:02 PM
James, Thanks for the reply on my comment...Linda (again..lol)
A   Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 6:22 PM
Hola James, thanks for the reply, and the wonderful comment on my blog..PD
Fraser Avatar
July 18, 2014 at 3:18 PM
Hugs and thanks from this 'Highlander' James :)
Ryerson Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 3:34 PM
It's SO good to see you back entering and winning contests again my friend! I have missed your fine poetry and this one is a real beauty...How have you been? - Tim
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 3:37 PM
Hi Tim, I've been astray in my life these past few years. I'm now back on track, back writing, and feeling rather humbled to the response my poems are receiving. I trust your fine also? - James :)
Khan Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 6:50 AM
Great win..Congrats :)
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 4:16 PM
Thank you Saba, James :)
Smith Avatar
July 16, 2014 at 11:31 PM
Congrats James
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 4:12 PM
Thank you kindly Tim :)
A. Sharma Avatar
July 16, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Creative masterpiece James,, very lovely heartfelt write,, congrats on huge win!
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 4:07 PM
Thank you Upma, and I'm thankful it's received the lovely comments, James :)
Lindley Avatar
July 16, 2014 at 9:34 PM
This most certainly deserved a high win.. Congrats on your great win my friend!!!!!
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 3:54 PM
Thank you Robert, there comes a time when one writes a poem, that it's quite special to the writer, James :)
Smith Avatar
July 16, 2014 at 8:37 PM
Happy to see this one a winner, dear James.. hugs.. Arlene
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 3:43 PM
Thank you Arlene, it's a poem that I feel very close to me, James <*> hugs back :)
A   Avatar
July 16, 2014 at 5:50 PM
Hello James, I guess I'm missing in all the action. I hope you are doing well. Congratulations! Thank you for enjoying my contest, stop by my latest blog "Tanka you, but no tanka you :)" If you'd like, or have time! No Matter, enjoy your win. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
Fraser Avatar
July 17, 2014 at 3:42 PM
Thank you Linda, and I'd be delighted to browse your Blog, James x
Smith Avatar
July 9, 2014 at 8:05 PM
This is outstanding my friend.... Tim
Fraser Avatar
July 10, 2014 at 4:10 PM
Thank you kindly Tim. I get such a buzz writing about the American Indigenous Tribes of North America, James......
Matose Avatar
July 8, 2014 at 2:33 AM
great, flowing poem JM
Fraser Avatar
July 8, 2014 at 10:25 AM
Many thanks Joseph, much appreciated, James.....
Trichet Avatar
July 8, 2014 at 12:17 AM
Awesome words James, stand tall my man.
Fraser Avatar
July 8, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Thanks kindly Mark, I sure will, James :)
Johnson Avatar
July 5, 2014 at 10:08 PM
A wonderful story, well done. Congratulations on your big win. Love, Joyce
Fraser Avatar
July 7, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Thank you ever so much Joyce. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it, James :)
Nance Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 6:25 PM
Amazing!!!! Perfect winner I loved it :) Great great job!
Fraser Avatar
July 1, 2014 at 1:08 PM
Thank you Casarah :)
Andresen Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 11:58 AM
- I love your story from your heart, James !! - Congratulations on your 1st PLACE!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 12:29 PM
Thank you Anne Lise, very much appreciated, James :)
Locksley Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 4:35 AM
Hello James, I have read all the contest entries and am happy to see your poem ranking first. Congratulations! I have always been enchanted by the spiritualism of Native Americans and you brought "Standing Tall" to life here. It's going to my favorites now.
Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 1:41 PM
Many thanks Diane. I too have always been fascinated by the American Indigenous, and their cultures, James :)
Maharaj Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 1:58 AM
Congrats on the win. love it :)
Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 1:50 PM
Thank you Sasha, I'm glad you enjoyed it, James :)
Roberts Avatar
June 29, 2014 at 10:06 PM
Great write James ......congrats .....Seren
Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 2:10 PM
Thank you Seren, much appreciated, James :)
Guzzi Avatar
June 29, 2014 at 8:18 PM
Nice to seeing in the winners column again! Congrad's . Light & love
Fraser Avatar
June 30, 2014 at 2:42 PM
Many thanks Debbie, it's always lovely to be read by the Soupers, James :)
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace