Soul Stance River - 4

William Branton has just run into camp as if the earth is falling away from his heels,
he has spotted a large cluster of Indians to the south moving towards us on horseback, 
an estimated 100 + Braves, face painted for combat with sunset as an ally, 
I've ordered the men to prop up the wide canoes on their sides as a bulwark defense
we've drilled for this danger with a quick precision and focused fury,
guns to the shoulder, tomahawks to hips
if they want the loot their gonna get the lead rain,
we'll paint'em red and sever the head,
I am going forward with four others, 20 yards outside of camp
adrenaline is alive in the very oxygen of this moment
a mysterious magnetism seems to be pulling everyone into a flesh of fate,
Clark must remain behind in the advent of attack
we musn't allow ourselves to be adjacent targets and cripple command,
Private Gass is in the lightweight, portable collapsable watch tower made of wood
which when erected stands 20 feet high, he is our war eagle
and will relay to us the nature and movements of the Indians
so far they have made no maneuver to outflank us, that's a positive,
their ponies have a cautious strut in the flat open field which is allaying to us,
standing square I'm giving the grand hailing sign of amicability
by raising my rifle above my head with both hands then slowly lowering it to my knees,
repeating this gesture three times with solemnity in my stare,
they halt into the golden temperance of the silent sun,
six of them dismount with the smooth slowness of water falling from a clenched hand,
I feel secure in the still strength of my brethern
and I know that war blood shall not touch the earth this day,
we meet them in equal stride,
four Braves, ornamented with vermillion claws of beasts on their chests
faces pasted across to the nose with the black paint of destruction
mohawks high holding maces of deadly bone,
the other two are French traders clothed in euro attire
with buckskin mantles and suade caps equiped with rifles of their own,
meeting on the five points of fellowship
we invite them to the hearth of peace
where tobacco and whiskey are enjoyed
and for a few moments we are just men who understand the calm of camaraderie, 
these are members of the Otoe Tribe
and a band of 250 on a buffalo hunting expedition five days removed from their homes,
it is decided that tomorrow morning we shall have formal council
introducing a new relation to the Plains,
Clark is more nervous than I about the potential for ambush tonight
he has more frontier experience than I do, and the spartan in him is leary,
we've trippled gaurd duty and are sleeping in strategic positions
I fret not though, the Indians appear eager for the auspices of alliance
and thirsty for novel and abundant trade possibilities, 
I will dream in the dawn of history tonight,

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Timothy Hicks

Date: 2/21/2016 12:18:00 AM

Yes ... I agree that the transition is wonderful. We often don't think of those lighthearted moments when thinking about grisly battles. But our lives (as well as a soldiers) have such a menagerie of different moods, tastes, and feelings, that to put focus on just one is unrealistic.

Justin Bordner
Date: 2/22/2016 6:30:00 PM

The soul must become a symphony of perception and creation, a synergy, otherwise its just broken my friend. Your pragmatic viewpoint conjures instances of Divine Intervention...J.A.B.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 2/19/2016 11:30:00 PM

It's sad to me that more people have not been reading this!! It's superb. The action and poetry is so immersive, and well thought out. And yet ... "and for a few moments we are just men who understand the calm of camaraderie," ... your poetic voice has also picked up the flavor and the tongue of how people spoke in those days (and yet in your other poems it's like Shakespearean) ... to place yourself in the minds of diverse people groups is the marks of a true writer!

Justin Bordner
Date: 2/20/2016 3:56:00 PM

Be not sad Timothy, for those whom are destin to dream and live with me shall. My work will move through hearts and minds for millennia. Your appreciation of my heart and efforts is inspiring! The language of truth and passion transcends people, places and Time, I write as I trust. I like how the drama of battle builds herein, then transitions into the relief of friendly spirit. Expounding on the art of warfare is also a thrill for me which this portion of the epic illustrates very well. I invented the portable watch tower as described in this segment...J.A.B.

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 12/14/2015 12:58:00 PM

"adrenaline is alive in the very oxygen of this moment a mysterious magnetism seems to be pulling everyone into a flesh of fate"....I'm loving the action!! I also like, "they halt into the golden temperance of the silent sun.." and "with the smooth slowness of water falling from a clenched hand..." You're such an amazing writer Justin, in more ways than one. Always, Laura

Justin Bordner
Date: 12/14/2015 7:12:00 PM

Your passion for language, for the voice of soul makes me want to give you a new world Laura. Receiving such meticulous feedback from a Poetess of your magnificent caliber makes all the hard work so worth it woman! Everything was so new for them, they were making history with hearts of heroic desire and respect for a world that wanting them to sacrafice it all for glory...J.A.B.