Two Feathers
When everything is taken from a man,
and there is nothing left,
when his home has been burned
for someone else's crops,
and his moccasins are gone,
then he must go barefoot,
stop dancing
or learn
to dance in boots.
When a man is made naked and
invisible,
then he must dress
in someone else's clothes
to be seen.
When a man's way has been broken and lost,
if he wants to dance it back,
then he will dance the dance he knows
as best he can
and fly
with just
two feathers.
April 2011
Posted for Friday Poetically at the inimitable OneStopPoetry
(Brian Miller's prompt for today was to choose any work of art as subject for a poem. Thanks, Brian.)
excellent write hedge...it is heartbreaking the way of life that was in many ways destroyed by the machine..
ReplyDeleteWhen a man is made naked and
invisible,
then he must dress
in someone else's clothes
to be seen
this verse could apply to many and i found very potent...nice.
This is overwhelming ... and quite beautiful. Off to the website now. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful and powerful words. They are perfect for Tiger's art.
ReplyDeleteReally nice ending to this, m'dear.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I have a special love for First Nations, having lived and worked among them. A beautiful people - painful pasts, yet hearts so ready to laugh . I have never met people who laughed more easily. The painting is wonderful and your poem a tribute. "then he must dance the dance he knows as best he can, and fly with just two feathers." Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteTwo feathers is all some need. One to soar and one to steer with. Better dance your own dance clumsily than to dance at the fire of another and make them thin you are something you never wanted to be.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI gave you one of my weekly Goddess Awards which you can collect anytime you like at my place!
Happy blogging!
Thank you so much Elise. I really appreciate it, and your kind comment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful and moving poem. The artwork is striking, and your words suit it wonderfully. I especially like the image of learning to dance in boots.
ReplyDeleteThe second stanza is especially evocative, and the ending...well, some people do indeed learn to fly with just two feathers. It speaks to survival and the ability of some to transform loss into creativity--into dancing and flying. Excellent write!
The artwork is stunning, but your poem stands on its own as well. Incredible ending.
ReplyDeleteWow! Powerful work here. I love the feeling of lightness the last words bring. Nicely done.
ReplyDeletexx