Symbols of Pride

Of Western Red Cedar, totems are made
Though few have been built in the last decade

Tribal emblems speak of lost lives with pride
Striking they appear as storm clouds collide

The Ojibwe graveyards can still be seen
As in reverence visitors convene

Symbols of Native American tribes
With colorful markings they are inscribed

Homage is paid to a culture now lost
Many died in battle, paid such a cost

As thunder rumbles, it chills the viewers
They know that white men were the wrongdoers

Pilfering land and breaking trust offered
Treaties ignored as land filled their coffers



By Carolyn Devonshire, August 11, 2011
Entry for Francine’s “Totems in the Darkening Sky” contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
August 23, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Congratulations on your placement in Francine Roberts' "Totems in the Darkening Sky" contest Carolyn. Love, Carol
Devnath  Avatar
August 21, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Congratulation for win again. bl
Ramsdale Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 4:25 PM
Congratulations on your win! Great job... Caryl Ramsdale
Gorelick Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 10:16 AM
LNC..I read this with pleasure..your never disappoint...congrats. BG
Horne Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Many congrats to you, my friend : ) No, my mum didn't find the escaped snake but she said they'd sure know all about it if she did
Williams Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 3:48 AM
hey Carolyn congrats on your great win David
Johnson Avatar
August 20, 2011 at 1:55 AM
Great writing as always Carolyn. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Roberts Avatar
August 19, 2011 at 10:27 PM
congrats on your 8th place win in the contest Carolyn, wonderful couplet
Horne Avatar
August 15, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Touching and tender tribute to the Native Americans, Carolyn
Babcock Avatar
August 14, 2011 at 4:21 PM
The treatment of the Indian tribes was a terrible thing. I hope history never repeats itself. Many steps have been taken to rectify the past and eventually I hope we can put it in the past. love phyl
Dufresne Avatar
August 13, 2011 at 4:08 PM
l, love the information about Indian tribes and history.Nice flow while we learn, Carolyn. ive spoken with some Seminoles here. Very interesting and proud heritage.
Poetess Avatar
August 12, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Wow Carolyn, what a wonderful rhyme about the totem pole. Surely a winner. Love your poetry. This is a fav. for sure. ~Love~Glenna
Henderson Avatar
August 12, 2011 at 2:00 AM
Sure am glad to be able to get some comments on these fine poems. I am partial to indian poems. Good luck in the contest. Yes the indians were treated badly. Many tribes no longer exist. How would you like to be the last white person in america. Hmmm may try to write one on that. Keep up the good!!!! Charles
Brown Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 11:16 PM
I am stopping by this evening to thank you for your kind comments while the soup is up and running. I will never get caught up oh well that's life right? Have a wonderful evening Carolyn. Love, Carol
Long Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 8:34 PM
this was a fantastical write good luck in the contest. cory
Warden Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 6:16 PM
I think this is fantastic..You used all three and said it all..A winner for sure..jo
Cooke Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 3:31 PM
what was done to this race was terrible, this poem is a good reminder, that we should never forget. beautifully expressed i like this a lot well done
Sivey Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 3:28 PM
Great work here! I really enjoy your writing! thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest!!
Ramage Avatar
August 11, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Hi Carolyn, beautiful work.Lee
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