Gregory Richard Barden Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Mighty Tatonka

From west-to-east they daubed the plains with dark
          The groans of horns and hooves to shake the earth
               All grass and grounds that thus did bear their mark
     And naught would be their doom if meant for worth

Brave men with skin burned red did cull for strength
          With skill and bows, though not to waste one piece
               Yet they nor prey could know what would be wrought
     By those with hides more white, and sacks to fleece

Those men from 'cross the sea killed with no cause
          And all that filled their gaze was raped and marred
               Not once through all the waste did they give pause
     Nor stop to dress the wounds of what they'd scarred

Not long, to teach those beasts and men of red ...
          The pall and price of greed, so cold ... and dead.





~ 7th Place ~  in the "Because It's A Tuesday 140 - 140 Sonnet Cash Prize" Poetry Contest, William Kekaula, Judge & Sponsor.

* Syllables = 10/line, 140 total, words = 140 total, counted at HowManySyllables.com. *

( "Tatonka" is the Native American word for buffalo or bison )

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J P Marmaro December 26, 2019 at 8:43 PM An intelligently composed sonnet... and vivid in imagery (though truth to tell I have some quibbles with the concomitant romanticizing of Native Americans and demonizing of European settlers... I did a double major in English and Anthropology at college, and though fashionable, this simplistic dichotomy is not really true to history, despite the PC police trying to rewrite that history in their own terms or bury truths that don't conform to the party line). Anyhow, great poem. Happy new year! Gregory Richard Barden December 26, 2019 at 8:56 PM Thank you kindly. My statement here is primarily in relation to what was done to the bison herd and the INTENT of those who hunted them. Most Native Americans killed buffalo primarily for survival, and used every part of the animal, not so my own ancestors ... I agree that there is much misconception of that ambiguity on many other levels, however. Thank you so much for your thoughtful input and comments - much appreciated!

Lonna Blodgett October 6, 2019 at 11:47 AM Native american history has always been a weight in my heart and a bittersweet lump in my gut. Thank you for shedding the light so beautifully. Lonna Gregory Richard Barden December 13, 2019 at 2:32 AM Thank you so much, Lonna - it has been a sore point for me as well, and last year I was part of an effort (petition) to have a national holiday. It failed, but I intend to to keep at it, for without it this country's conscience is falling short ... FAR short. Blessings! <3

William Kelii Kekaula September 30, 2019 at 6:20 PM I am glad you were able to meet my recent challenge 140/140 sonnet o'er de ordinaire, comme ci, comme ca sonnet, naught a contest be--yours takes me back, "Dances...", compliments on your placement ~ Aloha always William Gregory Richard Barden October 3, 2019 at 8:40 PM Merci Monsieur! J'apprécie grandement les gentils commentaires ... and I'm so pleased that you found this one worthy of placement, as anything concerning American heritage is important and special to me. Blessings, my friend! :o)