deepundergroundpoetry.com
Bonding With My Chief
Long Bow was dad's name
and mine, Straight Arrow
At least once a week
when we'd meet
with our tribe
of YMCA Indian Guides.
Fathers and sons
seated in a circle
all in dark yellow
headband arrayed
each with a real feather displayed
from the tail
of a synthetic bird of prey.
Also, a tan suede vest
with our names burned in
And covered in
primary colored, ironed on badges.
Around our necks
hung an articulated breastplate
we made of genuine bleached bones
with no marrow
from slaughtered
plastic squirrels
or jack rabbits
We would pound
drums, sing and
learn Native American lore.
Concluding with a shout
of PALS FOREVER!
A motto that I now treasure
more than ever.
and mine, Straight Arrow
At least once a week
when we'd meet
with our tribe
of YMCA Indian Guides.
Fathers and sons
seated in a circle
all in dark yellow
headband arrayed
each with a real feather displayed
from the tail
of a synthetic bird of prey.
Also, a tan suede vest
with our names burned in
And covered in
primary colored, ironed on badges.
Around our necks
hung an articulated breastplate
we made of genuine bleached bones
with no marrow
from slaughtered
plastic squirrels
or jack rabbits
We would pound
drums, sing and
learn Native American lore.
Concluding with a shout
of PALS FOREVER!
A motto that I now treasure
more than ever.
Published 18th Apr 2024
Author's Note
NaPo2024 #16
Out of reverance and respect for our Native American people, their history, and their cultural heritage, the YMCA no longer has a progran named Indian Guides it is now called Adventure Guides.
The progran did instill in me a thirst for more knowledge of these vibrant cultures
Out of reverance and respect for our Native American people, their history, and their cultural heritage, the YMCA no longer has a progran named Indian Guides it is now called Adventure Guides.
The progran did instill in me a thirst for more knowledge of these vibrant cultures
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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The author encourages honest critique.
18th Apr 2024 5:47am
I think you are saying something deep or ironic here juxtaposing the ancient ancestors and what passes as heritage represented in plastic... my ex was Native American he never fit in this society and never should have been forced to succumb and he never did he fought the good fight...I myself have been beaten down so many times still I fight the good fight with one exception I fear not being beaten again but losing my soul love...
18th Apr 2024 6:19am
Dear. Crimsin
You found profundity that I didn't imagine in this childhood memory. Thank you so much for your insightful, poignant, and kind words❣
You found profundity that I didn't imagine in this childhood memory. Thank you so much for your insightful, poignant, and kind words❣
