The Black Hills Wept For Thee

The Black Hills wept for Thee

East of the Black Hills of South Dakota, 
On the Pine Ridge Reservation,
Live a proud tribe of Oglala Lakota, 
Part of the Great Sioux Nation.

On saddled chargers rode half the Regiment,
of the Seventh Cavalry.
A tune they played on behalf of the GarryOwen, 
was such a sight to see.

While climbing through Prickly pines, they spied,
near the summit of Porcupine Butte. 
Spotted Elk with Hunkpapa Lakota tribe, 
the chief of the Minneconjou.

Five miles West through the cold day they walked,  
the Lakota and soldiers of the Seventh, 
Where Wounded Knee creek's icy waters balked,  
between hell and heaven.
 
The Colonel ordered all of the tribe's rifles confiscated,  
while the braves danced the ghost dance.
For rumor had spread of a new religion, long awaited,   
that would turn the tide of chance.

Then suddenly came the report of rifles fired,   
as the women and children fled to a ravine.  
From the heights the thunder of cannon, now inspired,
close quarter fighting and lead, now convened.
 
Who knows where Providence went,
on that cold December morning.
Both guilty and innocent, now spent,
lay dead with little warning.

Bodies of the fallen now sprawled across the snowy plains, 
with faces frozen in a moment of violence.
One mass grave with all, is all that remains, 
of tears and laughter forever silenced.      

In the days that followed medals were pinned to chests,
who proclaimed victoriously.
Though God only knows why, ignoble and divest,
life taken in vain, ingloriously.

In the shadow of the land of Sitting Bull,
was now told the tragic story.  
Passed down from Mother to Daughter were recounted,
days of lost glory. 


“Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children.” 
-Sitting Bull

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 10/17/2020 5:32:00 PM
Hmmm, JUST now I am seeing the question you posed to me here several months ago regarding how many faves on Cinder Girl. I'm gonna soupmail you its stats.
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Date: 4/16/2020 6:42:00 PM
I know this story. I am sure I saw it in a documentary. SO sad. I love how you were able to poetically present it. Are you native American, by chance? I am supposed to have a tiny bit of Cherokee in my ancestry.
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Quoth Theraven
Date: 4/16/2020 9:32:00 PM
Andrea, Thanks, no, I'm not. I'm a Mid-Western transplant 'boomer'. Now please tell me how many Faves Cinder Girl has received. Quid Pro Quo. -Richard
Date: 6/25/2019 1:45:00 AM
Let us put our minds together to see what life we can make for our children..// beautiful poem penned and superbly ended
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Quoth Theraven
Date: 7/5/2019 1:41:00 PM
Mahtab, Thank you for the comment. I want to go back there someday. -Richard
Date: 3/19/2019 9:22:00 AM
One of the saddest days in USA history. Greed was alive and well then and today. A powerful and worthwhile write.
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Quoth Theraven
Date: 7/25/2019 9:23:00 AM
John, Thanks for your comment. It was a different time indeed. There were a million ways to die, and only one life to give. -Richard
Date: 11/5/2018 11:27:00 AM
Dear Quoth, Number #1 write So endearing and culturally excellence.... Seemed to be from the heavens.... grand and great verse... pictures as actually being there... in the presents, in the essences of the time... Love this verse.... welcome my friend to PoetrySoup.. this poem so far is the most viewed and liked. WRITE ON James~~
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Theraven Avatar
Quoth Theraven
Date: 11/5/2018 10:47:00 PM
James, If you get the chance, go there. You will leave a changed man. And better for the journey. -Richard
Date: 10/24/2018 10:29:00 PM
loved it!
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Theraven Avatar
Quoth Theraven
Date: 11/5/2018 10:49:00 PM
Hi Jay. You already know what can be understood. What needs to be. -Richard
Theraven Avatar
Quoth Theraven
Date: 10/24/2018 10:43:00 PM
Thanks Jay. I only wish it weren't based on true story. And I hope that my dear friend Jackie, burning sweet grass in honor of those lost, approves too. Wakan Takan kici un - May the Creator/Grandfather/Great Spirit/God bless you.
Date: 10/13/2018 5:59:00 AM
A true pleasure to read this offering this fine morn. My grandfather was Native American and this piece stirred again in my old poet soul the memory of his tales of how our people were once treated. I sense even a great depth and truth to come from your poetry my friend.. A fav...
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Theraven Avatar
Quoth Theraven
Date: 10/27/2018 12:35:00 AM
Old and wise., I became.
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