White Buffalo Calf



WHITE BUFFALO CALF
They told us our children would be civilized, but I barely even recognize; the child I once knew as Standing Arrow the look upon his face now with so much peril.  
There was a time when things weren’t so strange to us. Our children spoke our  language without a fuss, but now they stagger, fall, and they seem lost to us.  
Oh black robe, can you not see what you have done? My grandson lost and spun. I cannot even hug him for he trembles at the touch.  I cannot even wipe his tears as he walks in anger amid his fears. My grandson cannot hear his mothers voice as she cry’s assurance that this was not done choice.  
My grandson, it’s ok to be what you must be, but make no mistake the world must see; that you are loved beyond compare and this is precisely what you must share; for the whole world needs to hear that you will no longer live in fear.  
You were meant to be born at this time can’t you see.  Even now it is ever more clear to me; that the seventh fire burns rapidly.
You were hurt but it was prophecy. Lessons learned in this hypocrisy and yet our ancestors vowed to help us see; that if the seventh fire should complete the earth shall not repeat; for if the spirit the red man shallows; our Mother does in shadow.  
Our only hope is if the seventh generation;
wakes with contemplation; that our future rests on your great fire. And if you should desire.
To remember the first instruction and stop mans production;
And the birds shall sing again another day;
but only if you decide to stay.  
Young man, the seventh is here so let us prepare. To the colors of he earth, our time is coming near.  Remember who you are for we have traveled far.
Be what you were intended to be. Strengthen your voice so they hear our plea; that you still  love beyond compare and that you are still willing to share, with the whole world that needs hear;
That no one will ever have to live in fear.  
So be what your destined to be.  

2 / 2 no

About this poem

This poem takes the perspective have a grandfather who is one of the first to have his grandson taken forcibly by government and church and sent to Indian residential schools in America. It was there that the indigenous way of life would be changed forever but when they realize that they were taking more then our culture and language also are innocence. It was the spirit of the White Buffo Calf that speaks through the chief.

Font size:
Collection  PDF     
 

Written on January 02, 2024

Submitted by Nicholas.luke on January 26, 2024

1:58 min read
49

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXXXABCDXDEEXXAB C
Characters 1,974
Words 393
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 16, 1

Luke Nicholas

Luke is the first time writer and how many years spent in business consulting but decided to return to a hobby from his childhood. more…

All Luke Nicholas poems | Luke Nicholas Books

1 fan

Discuss the poem White Buffalo Calf with the community...

0 Comments

    Translation

    Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

    Select another language:

    • - Select -
    • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
    • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Esperanto (Esperanto)
    • 日本語 (Japanese)
    • Português (Portuguese)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • Français (French)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
    • 한국어 (Korean)
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Gaeilge (Irish)
    • Українська (Ukrainian)
    • اردو (Urdu)
    • Magyar (Hungarian)
    • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
    • Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • தமிழ் (Tamil)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
    • తెలుగు (Telugu)
    • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
    • Čeština (Czech)
    • Polski (Polish)
    • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Românește (Romanian)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Ελληνικά (Greek)
    • Latinum (Latin)
    • Svenska (Swedish)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Suomi (Finnish)
    • فارسی (Persian)
    • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
    • հայերեն (Armenian)
    • Norsk (Norwegian)
    • English (English)

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "White Buffalo Calf" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/180593/white-buffalo-calf>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    3
    days
    4
    hours
    46
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Who wrote the poem "Still I Rise"?
    A Elizabeth Barrett Browning
    B Dylan Thomas
    C Maya Angelou
    D Robert Burns