The Long House

The Long House

Precontact	            Our sky is incense
                            Pause beneath our nation’s smoke 
                            River of the West
                            ~~
1792		            Broughton, his canon,
                            Facing copper swords  and clubs.
                            Warrior Rock truce
                            ~~
1804		            From upstream on foot
                            Men, one black; teen, infant, dog - 
                            Corps of Discovery
                            ~~
                                    Curious welcome.
                            Chief wore a naval dress coat,
                            Brass buttons stood proud.
                            ~~
                                    Trade for otter robe. 
                            Peace Medal given in trust.
                            Pox and flu hovered…
                            ~~
1832 - 2019	            In long winter’s shade
                            The quiet of death still hangs hard
                            On Cathlapotle.
                            ~~
2021                           Smoke from 1000 lodges
                           Made your blankets Mother Earth.
                           Casino lights chill.



https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cathlapotle/#.YEet52hKjMU

Featured: PoetrySoup Home Page - Week of 3/28/21
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

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Kendrick Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 3:27 AM
A lot of bad went on in those years of discovery and it is sad what happened here, but I am glad America came into being. Thanks for sharing this information written in poetic form with us. Welcome to soup.Sara K
Rone Avatar
December 9, 2023 at 12:45 PM
How kind of you to pull up this oldie and share your comment. I value the opinions if wise Soupers like yourself. I recall having fun8n with the timeliness format.
Warlov Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 11:49 AM
Not a negative criticism but it's almost a misnomer to call it a "long house", considering how wide they were (see photos). If this is a sample of your focus, I don't envy you your task ~ such a subject; it's psycho-social, political and moral implications. Welcome to Poetry Soup ~ our Family. - Robert W.
Rone Avatar
October 17, 2021 at 4:34 PM
I have stood within the longhouse of which I write, with history's invisible curtain bounding the shrine.
Lamoureux Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 9:39 AM
A belated welcome to the soup. You have raised expectations with this first piece. I’m off to read another.
Rone Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 10:22 AM
I am glad I am here among y'all.
Lamoureux Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 9:38 AM
You hit the target perfectly and the last installent is pure genius.
Labyrinth Avatar
March 16, 2021 at 2:05 PM
Love it. Unique construction of a story. The last two Haiku revealing a cold and unknown future.
Rone Avatar
March 16, 2021 at 4:19 PM
If you know where to go, it remains a dark place to visit.
Edmonds  Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Fantastic Haiku’s Ken... Welcome to PoetrySoup ~ Belle
Rone Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 10:25 AM
Thank you for your guidance this morning! Whew!
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