by Lou Harper
The drum-talk sounded in the night
The tribes obeyed that call.
The warriors knew they must unite
In war, no longer could they stall.
They must prevent their nation's fall,
Defeat would mean they all would die.
Those men rode out so brave and tall,
Their voices raised in battle cry.
With somber faces painted bright,
Prepared for death, these warriors all,
And yet with their last breath would fight
Until the sound of last man's fall.
One day the people would recall
They fought their foes with courage high
And warriors raced to win the brawl,
Their voices raised in battle cry.
Three days they fought without moon's light.
A waning moon at each nightfall
Shone pale, disguising mountain's height.
And there in final skirmish crawl
Men to that place of death. A pall
Pervading, every cause belie
That, which by nature does enthrall,
Their voices raised in battle cry.
Men do what they believe is right,
Yet, victors with a whispered sigh
Leave broken bodies there to lie,
Their voices raised in battle cry.
Lou Harper started writing in 1996. Since that time, she has been published several times in Capper's Magazine (most recently April 15, 2002) and has won or placed in state-wide contests for both poetry and prose. Mrs. Harper is currently serving her third term as President of the Southern Oklahoma Writer's Guild (SOWG) and her second year as poetry editor for this e-zine. You can find Lou Harper's short fiction and and poetry, including her recent poetry books called "Oklahoma Poetry" and "Walking in the Mist," at her website. Illustration: "Mourning Her Brave," by George de Forest. |
|
|
| Kudzu Monthly urges our readers to provide feedback for our authors. If you would like to comment on this article, you can enter your comments in the form below. They will be added to this page. |
|
Very nice, Lou. I envy anyone who can write such lovely cadence and also rhyme without sounding forced. Terri <Boopstt@aol.com> - Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 12:19:21 (EDT) Lou, this is vibrant and powerful -- both in imagery and emotion. It leaves an imprint in my mind -- a sense of triumph for the human spirit, but such a deep sadness.... Lary Laryalee <laryalee@hotmail.com> - Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 13:44:40 (EDT) That was great It's been a while since I have been to this site,now I know what has been missing.Great Work! Looking forward to more! Joy Morgan <joy_k_morgan@yahoo.com> - Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at 12:47:28 (EDT) Lou, I remember this poem and find that it rings with even more truth in the new light. Well written and one of your 'classics'. Thanks for writing these words, friend. Sue Turner <SusanT1466@aol.com> - Monday, May 05, 2003 at 16:35:16 (EDT) This is wonderful. Thank you for giving me a new "picture" in my mind. I really like the term, "drum-talk" and the last stanza gives me cold chills. Very well done, Lou. Janet Brice Parker <parkerhere@peoplepc.com> - Saturday, May 03, 2003 at 10:18:14 (EDT) Ya did good. Very moving words which scream out the injustice in subtle phrases and soft mummers. JerryBolton <righterjerryb@aol.com> - Friday, May 02, 2003 at 14:45:40 (EDT) This poem speaks to me and this final stanza says it all! 'Men do what they believe is right, Yet, victors with a whispered sigh Leave broken bodies there to lie, Their voices raised in battle cry.' Brenda Ross <Brenda Ross> - Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 01:26:14 (EDT) |
Go to the July, 2001 contents page
or
Go back to the current issue
