The Legend of Big Indian, Part I
Hear this recitation
the Lenape nation
bore a child of extreme size,
in the Onteoras,
the Catskills of yore now,
this man would live out his whole life.
Winisook was his name,
and he gained local fame
from standing at seven feet tall,,
to the red men and white
this guy was quite a site,
they’d not seen someone like him at all.
On the Hudson frontier,
way back in olden years,
a good trade between peoples was known,
be it trade guns or wives
they did find ways to thrive,
and many wild oats were sown.
Yes, the man Winisook
by a woman was took,
a girl named Gertrude Molyneux,
she returned his great love,
prayed to her God above
that they’re affections would prove true.
But her family did not quite feel the same,
said Winisook was the savage kind,
fear their honor dead if she went to his bed,
and pressured her to change her mind.
Despite her feeling down,
ahe sadly came around,
afraid she’d bring her family shame,
but the man that they chose
was known for some great lows,
and Joseph Bundy was his name.
A son of the Dutchmen,
she was pushed to wed him,
and below the peaks they did live,
but Bundy was shady,
he gambled, had ladies,
misery was all he could give.
Winisook felt saddened,
more than a bit maddened,
but at this point should he persist?
So he tried to forget her,
his beloved lover,
not knowing her heart remained his.
His efforts brought nothing,
he could not stop loving,
would speak with her when Joe was gone.
she’d not deny her heart,
or from his be apart
even if people might call it wrong.
Off to the mountains the two made their way,
to where Winisook’s tribe did abide,
he took her as wife and they set up their life,
and soon three fine children arrived...
CONCLUDES IN PART II.
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