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Living on the Reserve

Posted by Richard L. Prov... on April 23, 2011 - 00:34
from the ABC set POETRY - A Passage of Motion 2

Listen to the sounds of silence
drums no longer thumping,
and only empty rooms
for children lying in graves
around the corner
not far past familiar weeds
on a reservation
now called ‘first nations’
no longer red men, but doesn’t
blunt the way it was--

no electricity, no
plumbing
and outhouses as bad
as can be, nor
hinges or squeaky doors
to worry about.

When families return
for a modern visit
they can see the old graveyard
back of the weeds
where tents once scattered,
new apartments and modern
conveniences hoping everyone
will forget the old ways.

© Richard L. Provencher
Website: www.wsprog.com/rp/

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Comments

insertponceyfre... | April 23, 2011 - 17:00

I really like this one richard

celticman | April 23, 2011 - 20:50

Nicely done, injustices in the past poke through the present, persistent like weeds.

Silver Spun Sand | April 24, 2011 - 08:02

Evocative and as celtic says, nicely done.

Richard L. Prov... | April 26, 2011 - 13:49

Thank you so much. I remember those days when I worked in James Bay, out of Moosonee, Ontario, a life-changing experience. RLP

Richard L. Prov... | April 26, 2011 - 14:32

And I thank you, celticman. All of us have a heritage, something to be proud of. Yet it is difficult to remember good things when you had to sleep on the ground in your tent, surrounded by family, snuggling close to survive another night. Yet somehow we do. God bless, from Richard and Esther Provencher.

Richard L. Prov... | April 26, 2011 - 14:34

Your comments too, Silver Spun Sand are always welcome. The advantage of posting material is at least knowing someone has actually read our little nuggets, eh? The best, from Richard LP

Nathan Bednarek | May 3, 2011 - 23:14

A powerful piece with an incredible atmosphere. Rarely does a piece of writing transports me to the place it describes so naturally, but this poem really does it. A big well done from me.

Nathan.

Richard L. Prov... | August 16, 2011 - 00:27

Much thanks, Nathan. I worked with Cree Natives in Moosonee, Ontario, and along the West coast of James and Hudson Bay, years ago. It was a revelation on survival in the wilderness. Richard LP