Manifest Destiny (song-poem)

How our policy of Manifest Destiny set an example for the rest of our civilized world to follow.

Manifest Destiny (song-poem) 

 

 

Locomotives chugging West

from the rising Sun

take us further on our quest.

We won't be outdone.

 

We have leaders who have stressed

in ways all-or-none

that our fate is manifest,

something we can't shun.

 

We'll find where the eagles nest.

We’ll kill game for fun.

We'll take all the land that's best

from each Native son.

 

Native tribes are sure to test

lies that we have spun.

They'll not give us any rest

‘till the West is won.

 

If it’s in our self-interest,

we shall kill and stun

civilizing the oppressed

with a Gatling gun.

 

We invaders are the best;

we are next to none.

Our example shall infest

nations one-by-one.

 

Global wars shall soon attest

how well we have done,

how much might-makes-right is blessed

by the megaton.

 

Servile minions won’t protest;

they can’t hide or run.

Death shall be our honored guest

once war has begun.

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

This takes aback at a time in history...yet...
the meaning in all intent and purpose ---
I see the issue you're conveying can be brought forward and copied by others to do the same...
yet this is missing the part where we give them blankets laced in smallpox and tell them they are tributes for them to have and cherish...
not...and kill them one by one...since they do not have the knowledge of the vaccine to cure it...as for your rhyme and meter...seems you took an extra step --- to add depth and a story in the work...

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your detailed review, Glen! The blankets laced with smallpox were used during the French and Indian War whereby these blankets where meant to exterminate the Native American allies of the French who where fighting British and Colonial Forces. Manifest Destiny came into being after the American Revolution. The pox spread none-the-less to the rest of the Native population killing tens of millions. It’s good to know that we have outlawed the use of weapons of mass destruction in modern times. No one is using them at this time. Syria gave them up a while back too. What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes. Native Americans were collateral damage that happened on the way to a better social order. Human beings make mistakes, but over time they learn from them not to make them again. At the present time, the United States is showing a good example to the rest of the world by calling for nuclear disarmament, and the destruction of all weapons of mass destruction. It’s not our fault if countries such as North Korea won't listen to us.

[Matching Socks]

Hey, just saw your profile stat change and felt I needed to check up on you. :)
This seemed appropriate.
A thoroughly captivating write.
Admittedly I'm not up on my American History but regardless the message comes across.
Good write. :)

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Ance! Unfortunately pandemonic Manifest Destiny is still alive and well at this time in human history.

[Matching Socks]

Yes, our tools, weapons and means have become much more sophisticated.
And our tempers hotter.

[Dean]

the most odious doctrine to which our forbears ever subscribed, and unbelievably, it survives and cruelly corrupts even in this present day!

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Dean! The reason why I write poems such as this is to help people learn about mistakes made in the past so those same atrocities aren’t repeated in the future. The best rule to follow is the Golden Rule. People get back what they bring upon themselves. People always seem to do unto others what others do unto them ‘till either a permanent cease fire agreement is reached among them, or mutual extinction is achieved.

[Awakened Rose]

" We invaders are the best;
we are next to none.
Our example shall infest
nations one-by-one."
Wow. Your word usage is impeccable. I love the concept of this poem. You can feel the depth of this worldly truth. Amazing piece!

[Stephanie M]

A wonderfully written poem about the human tendency towards war.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Stephanie! It takes more courage, and intelligence to wage Peace, than to wage War. Courageous are the few who stand up against the Violent Solution in all of its forms.

[Emily]

I like the meaning! Keep it up!

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Emily!

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

Really liked this one.
I do like poems that rhyme.
Don't negotiate, exterminate. Nothing changes.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review! These days we use the term "progress" as a euphemism for the term "extermination". We always package our "exterminations" in vellum tied with pretty pink ribbons and bows. All the bodies are swept under rugs of collateral damage as intoxicated minions, the bottom feeders, cheer on their self-serving leaders.

[Abizar Bagasrawala]

It is interesting to see the way you separate the leaders from the warriors. The leaders are simply hungry for power, and the notion of 'national pride' charges young, innocent people.

'We'll find where the eagles nest.
We’ll kill game for fun.'

The innocence is well highlighted here. This is very professional writing :)

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your detailed review, Abizar! The innocent are always on my mind.

[Jumbo J]

Hey Aethereal...
this is a very familiar song in many nations across the globe... while the setting is different, the story isn't... greed and power has given rise to a whole new breed of dominatrix's... technology has broadened the battle grounds and put a very impersonal face to so call war... we fight it everyday... and in every-way... but you my friend have done your magic to identify it... and there my friend lies the true power of our destiny... through transparency... the greater the knowledge of the perpetrator's the less power they wield... no more divide and conquer mentality... if like minded humans band together, there is hope... if not, I fear we are doomed as a civilization... well penned!

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Jumbo J ! State secrets keep us from having transparency. There are secret weapons project all over the globe delving in future weapons of mass destruction. Human beings usually take bad advantage of getting the military drop on someone else.

[Tan-90]

"Servile minions won’t protest;
they can’t hide or run.
Death shall be our honored guest
once war has begun."

Your poem reminds me of Chief Seattle's speech as he surrendered to the manifest destiny philosophy.

"Tribe follows tribe, and nation follows nation, like the waves of the sea. It is the order of nature, and regret is useless. Your time of decay may be distant, but it will surely come, for even the White Man whose God walked and talked with him as friend to friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We will see.."

How painful it must be to part from your heritage and the land and people you hold so dear, to satisfy the greed of another who is willing to spill as much blood needed to establish their power...

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your detailed review, Tan-90! Ever since 1914, other powers have been plying our old discarded philosophy of manifest destiny against anyone whom they could get a military strategic drop on. Its really the old philosophy of might-makes-right. If we don’t figure out a way to put a stop to these pecking-order-wars, then they may lead to the extinction of our species. I feel certain that more advanced horribly destructive weapons are in the works that may shift the balance of military power into a new set of power hungry hands before this century is out, perhaps leading to a man-made mass extinction event.

[lee von cleef]

oh yes those generations had their tests, now the world will test us to see if we can stand all we ingest.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, lee von cleef! What comes around goes around. Those who change the rules of engagement must suffer them too.