Tatanka: A Poem
I’ve enjoyed writing for many years. I'm dedicating more time to the craft in my retirement days.
A Billy Buc Picture Prompt
Longtime HubPages writer Bill Holland put forth the picture below with this request for takers:
"My last picture prompt was not too popular (composting toilet, anyone?), so let’s see what you can do with this photo. One paragraph of your absolute best creative writing, please."
This short poem is my answer to that challenge. Hope you enjoy it, and thanks to Bill for putting this out there.
Here's the Picture...
Tatanka
It’s not lore
It’s much more
Like gore
Because it’s true
That I once roamed
In numbers
Bigger than you could ignore
An earthly roar
Would shake the ground
The cacophonic sound
Spread round and round
When we moved with speed together
Fifty…
Sixty…
Millions
Of us
And more
A loud part
At the start
Of a more peaceful time
That didn’t end that way
In days
Before covered wagons
And trains
Came this way
From an eastern shore
And long, long and long before
Cars
And Planes
These plains
Were my home
Our home
Things with wheels
And humming, roaring motors
Were not here
Moving along
These winding bands of gravel
And stone
And petroleum
That used to reside
On the underside
As aged planktons
And greens
That left the scene
Predating days when my loveable face
Graced this place
Put here
To sustain
Maintain
Equilibrium
With those who lived
In measured harmony
With the land
And all upon it
But the balance
Teetered
Tottered
Went askew
As Sharps arrived
With shooters
I almost left this place
For good
Or for ill, rather
But no matter
I’m still here
In sizeable numbers
And I am big and black
And a deep, beautiful brown
I am a part of this place
Always have been
‘Tis where I belong
Always will be
I know
Because
I have been here
With the red
Since well before
The white
Came wearing
Blue
And then my skins, too
Which turned to currency
Then primacy
Policy
Do away with me
Get at someone else
Move a pawn
On a board
Sow discord
Let it manifest
Destiny
Ironically
I now be
A celebrity
Kind of a king
Proud to say
I have a day
And an Act
Renowned thusly
Nationally
For my history
Tied economically
And spiritually
In perpetuity
Tatanka, I be
And shall remain
Once again
And forever more
© 2021 greg cain