Crystol Woods Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

https://www.poetrysoup.com/images/bio_images/177736/photos/ps_bone_in_her_back-8309.jpg Sketch of Bone in her Back... hold link address and select open from drop menu Reading "Into the Wilderness " by Sara Donati Historical fiction based on true history. Please forgive any mistakes I've made in languages. My grandmother on my father's side was of the Cherokee people and I am proud to be descended from such a beautifully rich people. (Another Example for my poetry contest, Historical poetry).

Bone In Our Back

Oh, how we are poisoned!
The Yonega, the Wasichu, 
a new creature, 
different from us in more than just their 
white skin and sunflower hair.

They come to our people with gifts of death.
Their ulcers wrapped in calico cloth. 
Their fevers traded to us for our good food.

Baskets of evil spirits in jars of glass 
and crockery made by hands not their own. 
Pouring toxins, shame and sloth,
 into our proud warriors. 

Our people are blinded by their shiny metals 
and made deaf to the ancient beat of our ancestors drums. 

We weave their stories into the braids of our youth 
who forget the stories of our people. 

Oseronni eyes of blue and green
 cannot see the wind that moves the land, 
shaping it and making the soil sing.
Sunlight steals their sight. 

Mother Earth and Father Sky, and Brother River 
nourishes the Three Sisters who sustain us
 with their corn, squash, and beans. 
They are offended and leave us to our folly.

The white man teaches us dishonesty and sloth, 
making of our backs the bow
 that draws the arrows 
that break our hearts. 
The bone in our back bends our faces to mother earth.

The only color left to us is 
the crimson in each salty tear that falls. 
Oh, how we are poisoned!

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Kim Rodrigues February 2, 2025 at 5:08 AM Congrats on POTD! Crystol Woods February 9, 2025 at 8:45 AM Thanks Kim! Xo

Daniel Henry Rodgers January 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM Dear Crystol, I had to come back and honor you with your truly marvelous POTD. Congratulations!! Winter Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM So sweet ty!xo

Karen Jones January 31, 2025 at 3:54 AM What a wonderful potd full of rich historical awesomeness! So sorry I am late with congratulations! I was so busy yesterday and the contest I’m hosting has me avoiding reading too many new poems for fear of seeing an entry by mistake with the poet name. Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM I'm so honored ty! Xo

Unseeking Seeker January 30, 2025 at 11:57 PM Superb, relevant write, warmest congratulations on POTD, Crystal Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM Tysm! Xo

Regina Mcintosh January 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM Wonderful storytelling. God bless you always and Congrats on POTD. love, Gina Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM Ty Gina, God bless! Xo

Zyrool Gifford January 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM Brilliantly penned, Crystol. And a great read. Congratulations on your POTD win. Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM I'm grateful! Xo

Robert James Liguori January 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM Wow!!!! Just wow!!! Congrats on POTD. I’ve reread your poem many times. It’s amazing. Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:34 PM I really appreciate that! What a boost! Xo

Brandy Nicole January 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM Dear Crystol, these words touch my heart. ' Mother Earth and Father Sky, and Brother River. ' Reminds me of a dear friend who is no longer here anymore. (Anthony Whitehorse). A part of the Lakota Sioux. I met his father David through poetry and that's how I became friends with his son. I miss them both and the stories they would tell. So many emotions tangle within, my dear friend. Congratulations on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:34 PM Bless your kind heart... thank you for sharing! Xo

Benjamin Bartley January 30, 2025 at 11:21 AM No surprise here! Congrats!!! Sincerely a Crystol Woods fan! Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:35 PM That's so cool... I'm also a fan of yours Ben! Xo

I Am Anaya January 30, 2025 at 10:34 AM The sad truth. The Europeans brought much blite upon. The First-Nation people demonstrated respect and their love for Mother Earth. This reminds me so much of "A Thing Of Beauty" my niece is the one with the big brown eyes on the cover. Cree Winny Winterfall has her coming of age ceremony, with a speech of Earth Mother. Oshkikishika meaning A new day will dawn. Congratulations on a sobering heartfelt, and part of history POTD Crystol!! and your historic portrayal! Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:35 PM I'm honored and so grateful for all the kind feedback! Xo

Kim Rodrigues January 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM Congrats on POTD! Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM Ty Kim! Xo

Paula Goldsmith January 30, 2025 at 7:43 AM Congratulations on your POTD win. WOW!!! What a wonderful/powerful ~ write/story. Have a blessed day writing away with your win............. Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:59 AM Your the best Paula, thanks!! Xo

Joseph May January 30, 2025 at 7:14 AM Powerful story, Congrats on POTD Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:58 AM Tysm! Xo

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart January 30, 2025 at 6:06 AM A powerful, heart rendering poem, a poem of truth. Congratulations on POTD Crystol. I do hope everyone reads this. xomo Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:58 AM Oh tysm Maureen! I'm honored! Xo

Mark Toney January 30, 2025 at 6:04 AM Back to congratulate you on Poem of the Day. Way to go, Crystol! Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:58 AM Thanks again!! Xo

Daniel Henry Rodgers January 30, 2025 at 4:38 AM Dear Crystol, When I read this I thought how your words are pure fire because it is so raw, unyielding, and hauntingly alive. It certainly cuts deep, carrying truth and sorrow with a voice that can’t be ignored. What a powerful way to honor and remember your roots. Congrats on POTD! Crystol your talent is undeniable, and your heart shines through every line. A FAV! Winter Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel. Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:57 AM You honor me my friend... thank you so much! I'm saving your words to read on rainy days! Xo

John Lawless January 30, 2025 at 4:37 AM the beauty of this poetry belies the pain it unveils. A distant whisper coercing the reader to ponder the forever insanity of mankind. Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:56 AM Nice... expand on that in a poem please... I'll read that! Ty for your kindness! Xo

thriveni c mysore January 30, 2025 at 3:53 AM Rich tribute dear poet.'We weave their stories into the braids of our youth' I love this thought. beautiful. Congratulations on POTD dear, Happy writing. Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:55 AM I'm grateful for your attention and comments! Xo

Charles Messina January 30, 2025 at 3:51 AM Wow! Amazing write, Crystol. Congratulations on POTD! Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:54 AM Tysm! Xo

Maria Williams January 30, 2025 at 1:43 AM Dear Crystol your poem is beautifully reconnecting you to your roots a reminder of the strength, wisdom, and resilience that flows from your lineage. The imagery of the bone in the back carry a deep sense of sadness of injustice done , making it not just words on a page but a sad heartbeat of your people. Congratulations on your awesome POTD ...Hugs Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:53 AM Ty Maria, the book series that also inspired this poem has weighed heavy on my heart. It's so satisfying to write something to honor my heritage. Xo

Beryl Edmonds January 30, 2025 at 1:19 AM A well deserved poem of the day award Crystol, well done… Beryl Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:51 AM Appreciate that! Xo

Anne-Lise Andresen January 30, 2025 at 1:12 AM - Powerful poem, Crystol - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs Crystol Woods January 31, 2025 at 6:47 AM Thank you! Xo

Tom Cunningham January 30, 2025 at 12:52 AM Quite a powerful verse Crystol, congratulations to you on the honour of POTD. Tom Crystol Woods January 30, 2025 at 7:39 AM Wow tysm! Xo

Mark Toney January 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM Poignant and powerful! A Fav poem for me. Crystol Woods January 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM Oh my goodness! What a compliment! Thank you for letting me know, it is super encouraging! Xo

Benjamin Bartley January 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM Wow, powerful poem! It's a winner whether it wins or not. More white people should read this, like me. I love how you stepped out of your norm and spoke some ancestral truth. Thanks for sharing! Crystol Woods January 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM I'm so pleased to have written with authenticity! The feedback is heartening! Tysm!

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