Mama Said
This was was written for Read Write Poem Prompt #31 – Write a poem where you are being told a story. Enjoy.
-Nicole
———————————————-
mama
said, your
grandpa died fighting
he
walked the
nunna daul isunyi*
he
waited for
that one moment
when
there were
no soldiers watching
and
he ran
and he ran
he
never did
throw a punch
but
your grandpa
went down fighting
he
would not
go to Oklahoma
so
he ran -
they shot him
Written 6/13/08
© 2008 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.
*”Nunna daul Isunyi” means “the Trail Where They Cried” in Cherokee.
the emotion bleeds from this haiku
Wa’-do Nicole. This poem strikes at the heart. I once wrote a story about the 1833 removal of Cherokees from Georgia. It was very difficult to put the words on paper. To this day I still find it heart wrenching to read. I have walked parts of the area where the Cherokee traveled across Arkansas. There is a sadness about that ground. I wish that the states traveled would preserve the path as a memoriam. But then, you have done that so much better with Mama Said.
Wa’-do Donald for your kind words. One of these days, I plan to visit the trail. I know our family legend is that my great grandfather is full Cherokee. Whether anyone in our family had to walk the trail, I don’t know but I intend to find out.
Also Cynthia, thank you for stopping by and reading.
Thank you all for visiting.
-Nicole
this was so touching.. and what an amazing piece of history to have in ones family tree.. i am awed….
Thank you, Paisley…as I mentioned above, legend in our family has it that my great grandfather is full Cherokee, but I don’t know if he actually had to walk the trail or not. I have heard and read second-hand stories of people who did try to escape – that’s what inspired this poem. I admire the courage of the people who endured such a forced removal, whether they walked the trail or not, whether they fled or not.
-Nicole
Very subtly done… I like the way the meaning of “fighting” changes between the repetitions.
I really like the way you achieve the effect of desperation and struggle with such economy of language. The poem’s parts all work together to reinforce the sense of inevitability of the end. This is well done.
Thank you, Nathan and Lirone. Actually, the hay(na)ku form (even chained) forces me into an economy of language. It’s hard to ramble in this form, and when you do, the effects are catastrophic. And I’ve always thought that fighting can be done in many ways, and many brave fighters, like Dr. King, Ghandi, and even Malcolm X, did not need to throw punches to make their point.
If you want to know more about the form, try this link:
http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/haynaku.htm
-Nicole
I really like your use of this form and you’ve got me interested in it.
As you said, it forces you into “economy of language” and you’ve spent your words very well here. Very emotional.
Thank you, Jennifer. I’ve been enamored with the form since I came across it being used by the author of Silent Verses (http://silentverses.com/).
-Nicole
painful past event that will always cry… i’ve tried to read a couple of books and a few i have finished regarding the walk… haunts me for days… i too have american indian in my blood… it is a beautiful haunting poem… and the form is exquisite… thank you for the links… will definitely look into the form… the painting nears expressing the cost of such a trail… as one human being to another how can this be… awesome blog you have…
Thank you, pieceofpie. I wonder “how can this be” every time we as humans hurt one another…and the Trail of Tears is a large wound.
-Nicole
Nicole,
I have been researching for interdisciplinary unit for my high school bands. It has led me through many different topics, but I am settling into “The Trail of Tears”. There is a wonderful piece by University of Kansas Professor James Barnes. I would like to include your haiku among the art forms we will study in addition to the music. It is very touching, and a creative use of form that is eclipsed by emotion. Thank you for writing.
Good afternoon Travis:
I am honored that you would like to use this poem. I will contact you via e-mail to discuss further.
Thank you,
Nicole