Families Are the Girders Underneath

October 21, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is marriage.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem about how by creating families, marriages long outlast both husband and wife:

Families are the girders underneath

All the brick and mortar of our lives.

Marriages will rarely end in death:

In sons and daughters long they hold their breath,

Lingering far past the men and wives,

Yet heard in great-great grandchildren's joy and grief.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/famili.html. For more poems about marriage, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/marriagepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Marriage

10/21: Families Are the Girders Underneath

The Forced Separation of Indigenous Children from Their Parents: Australia

October 20, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about the forced separation of indigenous children from their parents, based on passages from the Introduction to Bringing Them Home, the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: Confidential submission 318, Tasmania: removal from Cape Barren Island, Tasmania, of 8 siblings in the 1960s:

THE FORCED SEPARATION OF INDIGENOUS CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS: AUSTRALIA

From the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families:

So the next thing I remember

Was that they took us away from there,

And we went to the hospital,

And I kept asking

Because the children were screaming,

And the little brothers and sisters were just babies of course,

And I couldn’t move, they were all around me,

Around my neck and legs, yelling and screaming.

I was all upset and I didn’t know what to do,

And I didn’t know where we were going.

I just thought: Well, they’re police,

They must know what they’re doing.

I suppose I’ve got to go with them.

They’re taking us to see Mum.

You know, this is what I honestly thought.

They kept us in hospital for three days,

And I kept asking,

‘When are we going to see Mum?’

And no one told us at this time.

And I think on the third or fourth day

They piled us in the car,

And I said, ‘Where are we going?’

And they said, ‘We are going to see your mother.’

But then we turned left to go to the airport,

And I got a little panicky

About where we were going.

They got hold of me,

And I got a little baby in my arms,

And they put us on the plane.

And still they told us

We were going to see Mum.

So I thought she must be

Wherever they’re taking us.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/thefor.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage

10/16: The Destruction of the Indies

10/17: The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mŏn

10/18: The Ravages of Smallpox: Australia

10/19: The Ravages of Rum: America

10/20: The Forced Separation of Indigenous Children from Their Parents: Australia

The Ravages of Rum: America

October 19, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about the destruction of the indigenous peoples of America by liquor, based on passages from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin:

THE RAVAGES OF RUM: AMERICA

From The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin:

As the Indians are extremely apt to get drunk,

And, when so, are very quarrelsome and disorderly,

We strictly forbade selling any liquor to them.

And when they complained of this restriction,

We told them that if they would continue sober

During the negotiations over the treaty,

We would give them plenty of rum

When the business was over.

They promised this, and kept their promise,

Because they could get no liquor,

And the negotiations were conducted

In a very orderly fashion,

And concluded to mutual satisfaction.

They then claimed and received the rum.

This was in the afternoon.

In the evening, hearing a great noise among them,

The commissioners walked out

To see what the matter was.

We found they had made a great bonfire

In the middle of the square.

They were all drunk, men and women, quarreling and fighting.

Their dark-colored bodies, half naked,

Seen only by the gloomy light of the bonfire,

Running after and beating one another with firebrands,

Accompanied by their horrid yelling,

Formed a scene best resembling our ideas of hell.

There was no appeasing the tumult,

And we retired to our lodging.

At midnight a number of them

Came thundering at our door,

Demanding more rum,

Of which we took no notice.

The next day,

Sensible that they had misbehaved,

They sent three of their old counselors to make their apology.

The orator acknowledged the fault,

But laid it upon the rum;

And then endeavored to excuse the rum

By saying, “The Great Spirit, who made all things,

Made everything for some use.

And whatever use he designed anything for,

That use it should always be put to.

Now, when he made rum, he said,

‘Let this be for the Indians to get drunk with,’

And so it must be.”

And, indeed, if it be the design of Providence

To extirpate these savages

In order to make room for cultivators of the earth,

It seems not improbable

That rum may be the appointed means.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/thera2.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage

10/16: The Destruction of the Indies

10/17: The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mŏn

10/18: The Ravages of Smallpox: Australia

10/19: The Ravages of Rum: America

The Ravages of Smallpox: Australia

October 18, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about the ravages of smallpox in Australia, based on passages from An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, published in 1793 by John Hunter:

THE RAVAGES OF SMALLPOX: AUSTRALIA

From An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island published in 1793 by John Hunter:

I expressed much surprise at not having seen

A single native on the shore

Or a canoe as we came upon the ship;

The reason of which I could not comprehend

Until I was informed that the small-pox

Had made its appearance a few months ago

Among these unfortunate creatures.

It was truly shocking to go

Round the coves of this harbor,

Which were formerly so much frequented by the natives,

Where, in the caves of the rocks,

Which used to shelter whole families in bad weather,

Were now to be seen men, women, and children

Lying dead.

Some were sitting on their haunches

With their heads reclined beneath their knees.

Others were leaning against a rock

With their heads resting on it.

I saw a woman sitting on the ground

With her knees drawn up to her shoulders,

And her head resting on the sand

Between her feet.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/therav.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage

10/16: The Destruction of the Indies

10/17: The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mŏn

10/18: The Ravages of Smallpox: Australia

The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mon

October 17, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about the attack of the Romans on the indigenous Celts at Ynes Mŏn, an island just off the coast of Wales, based on passages from Tacitus, Annals, XIV:

THE ATTACK OF THE ROMANS ON THE CELTS AT YNES MŎN

From Tacitus, Annals XIV:

Suetonius Paulinus prepared accordingly

To attack the island of Mona

Which had a considerable population of its own,

While serving as a haven for refugees.

In view of the shallow and variable channel,

He constructed a flotilla of boats with flat bottoms.

By this method the infantry crossed;

The cavalry, who followed,

Did so by fording or, in deeper water,

By swimming at the side of their horses.

On the beach stood an adverse array,

A serried mass of arms and men,

With women flitting between the ranks.

In the style of Furies,

In robes of deathly black and with disheveled hair,

They brandished their torches; while a circle of Druids,

Lifting their hands to heaven and showering imprecations,

Struck the troops with such awe at the extraordinary spectacle

That, as though their limbs were paralyzed,

They exposed their bodies to wounds

Without an attempt at movement.

Then, reassured by their general,

And inciting each other never to flinch

Before a band of females and fanatics,

They charged behind the standards,

Cut down all who met them,

And enveloped the enemy in his own flames.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/theatt.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage

10/16: The Destruction of the Indies

10/17: The Attack of the Romans on the Celts at Ynes Mŏn

The Destruction of the Indies

October 16, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day based on passages from A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies by Bartolomé de las Casas (written in 1542, published in 1552):

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIES

From A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies by Bartolomé de las Casas (written in 1542, published in 1552):

The settlers would erect long gibbets
To which they would bind thirteen of the Indians at one time,
In honor and reverence, they said,
Of Our Redeemer and the twelve Apostles,
And put firewood around it
And burn the Indians alive.

Another time, because the Indians
Did not give a settler a coffer filled with gold,
They killed countless souls,
And cut off the hands and noses of countless
Men and women, and others they threw
To the savage dogs,
Who tore them to pieces and ate them.

The cacique asked the holy father whether
Christians went to the sky. The priest replied
That they did, but only those who were good.
And the cacique then said that he
Did not desire to go to the sky,
But rather down to hell
So that he would not be where they were
And would not see such cruel people.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/thedes.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage

10/16: The Destruction of the Indies

The Enslavement of the Carribeans: Columbus' Second Voyage

October 15, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which are celebrated on Oct. 14.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A poem for Indigenous Peoples’ Day about bringing Indian slaves back to Spain, based on passages from a letter by Michele da Cuneo, who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage and wrote the letter after his return to Italy in 1495: 

THE ENSLAVEMENT OF THE CARIBBEANS: COLUMBUS’ SECOND VOYAGE

From a letter by Michele da Cuneo, who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage and wrote the letter after his return to Italy in 1495:

When our caravels were ready to depart,

We gathered 1,600 Indians, male and female,

And on the 17^th of February 1495

Loaded aboard 650 of the best, both men and women.

The rest were offered to whoever wanted them.

And so it was.

When everyone was supplied with slaves,

About 400 were freed to go where they wished,

Among whom were females with nursing infants,

Whom they flung to the ground as they fled,

Fleeing like desperate persons

Seven or eight days from our settlement,

Beyond mountains and great rivers,

So that it would be nearly impossible

Ever to take them again.

As pleased God we had such favorable winds

That we reached the island of Madeira in 23 days.

But by that time some 200 of the Indians had died,

And we cast them into the sea.

Soon after this we reached Cadiz,

Where we unloaded the slaves,

Half of whom were sick.

They are not made for work,

Fear greatly the cold,

And do not live long.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/theens.html. For more poems for indigenous peoples’ day, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/indigenouspeoplesdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day

10/14: Could I Have Seen the Consequence

10/15: The Enslavement of the Caribbeans: Columbus’ Second Voyage