Judy Ball Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

No one knows the meaning of the word Geronimo. Some think is was a mistaken cry heard when Mescalero attacked. Mescalero and Geronimo sound very similar. But Mescalero was a decent man and his name, Geronimo is now called out when one needs to feel bravery. He once said:  "I was no chief and never was but because I had been more wronged than others this honor was conferred upon me and I resolved to prove worthy the trust."

He also said: "I cannot think that we are useless or God would not have created us. There is but One God looking down on us all."

These are not the words of a blood thirsty mad man.

Geronimo

His name was Mescalero Chiricahua,
Which means The One Who Yawns.
But fate had greater plans for him,
And not much would he yawn.

He was a great leader and Medicine Man,
Of the Apache Tribe,
Until there dawned an awful day,
That forever changed his life.

He did go a-trading with others from his band.
While he was gone the soldiers came and killed all in the camp.
His mother, wife and children died, killed by Mexican soldiers.
Wild with grief he swore revenge and he became a lamp,

To any who would stand with him and aide them in their plight.
He'd fight the white man tooth and nail to keep his tribe alive.
The U.S. and the Mexicans tried to wipe them from the land,
But they determined not to die, in spite they would survive.

He was known as a mighty warrior,
Fighting the U.S. and Mexican military.
He earned the nick name Geronimo,
And his very name was scary.

He always avoided capture though they fought with all their might.
He was the final Native American leader to surrender to the U.S. military.
The last twenty years of his life were spent,
As a POW in solitary.

♡Like0

Share 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

Alexis Y. May 27, 2021 at 2:20 PM Hi Judy, You penned such a well-written historical write. Excellent job.I enjoyed the read:-) Alexis Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:28 PM Thank you so much Alexis. God Bless, JB

Victor Buhagiar May 27, 2021 at 1:10 PM Well done, Judy. I read about the man and his determined revenge. Great poetry. Hugs. Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:01 PM Thank you so much Victor. He was not a savage but a great American Hero. God Bless, JB

Tom Cunningham May 27, 2021 at 12:20 PM Enjoyed this historical verse Judy very informative. Tom Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:04 PM Thank you so much Tom. God Bless, JB

Rico Leffanta May 27, 2021 at 11:55 AM American histories portray Goyalka as an ignorant, deranged savage who was able to elude 1/5th of the entire US Army in the field against him, survive torture and imprisonment, yet die with a bank account exceeding $10,000. A letter to his wife and children from imprisonment in Florida encouraged them to, "do what is right, no matter what the cost may be!" a message totally above the heads of Congress! Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:16 PM He was actually a great American Hero. He fought for freedom of his people. Thanks bunches, God Bless, JB

Sotto Poet May 27, 2021 at 11:43 AM Very intriguing poem/story, and it's good to learn something new about the name Geronimo. I couldn't discover any synonyms for this term, but I did discover several that were near, such as Coyote, Padre, and Chihuahua. And all of those phrases revolve around the tale you just told. Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:19 PM Thanks so much Lasaad. God Bless, JB Rico Leffanta May 27, 2021 at 11:48 AM Geronimo was so called because Mexicans called out to Saint Jerome for protection when Goyalka attacked. Coyotero Apaches are from Cibecue, Arizona, in the White Mountains. Goyalka became famous after BIA Indian Agent John Clum informed him he would be beheaded as was the Coytero Apache Nock-eye-del-Klinne. Apache history is quite different to American history! Aloha! Rico

Line Gauthier May 27, 2021 at 11:38 AM Wow ~ what a great tribute, Judy. I only heard about part of his life story. Thank you for sharing ~ Judy Ball May 27, 2021 at 2:32 PM Thank you so much Line. Please look him up online because he was a Great American Hero. A brave man who fought for what he believed in no matter what. God Bless, JB