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.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Aethereal, I love this poem. I deeply appreciate your reference to of our invasion and settlement of our own continent and the fight and subjugation of the native americans...it is true. It set a precedent with the rest of the world. Your words are powerful and visionary. Thank you for letting us read this. It was a lesson we all need to think about.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Bright Ocean Star! We learned our lesson a hundred years ago and have been trying at great cost ever since then to convince the rest of the world to do the same. World War One was the beginning of the containment of such atrocities. Native Americans taught us a valuable lesson at great cost to themselves. The damage has been done, and all we can do is be better people in the future.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Absolutely....unfortunately, countries and leaders on the move don't want to listen to us, as we benefitted (through land acquisition) greatly due to these atrocities. Your piece was a thoughtful and insightful write. I am deeply greatful you shared it with us. Be well, Aethereal..

[Coyote Poetry]

"Manifest Destiny'. Words I have learn to dislike. USA government had used these words to expand and steal. Today China is on the move. Russian too. I tell the kids. Listen, understand and fight for the right things. No weakness in your thoughts. Words support to make the reader think. You words did. Thank you for the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Coyote! The United States no longer beieves in this doctrine, and it has been trying to undo this bad example that it set for the rest of the world from the end of World War One on at a cost of trillions of dollars and the lives of tens of thousands of service men and women. We leaned our lesson a hundred years ago, and now its up to the rest of the world to do the same.

[Coyote Poetry]

China and Russian is walking a dangerous line. Thank you for your poetry.

[Aethereal]

They sure are! China in Tibet, and Russia in its former subjugated states. There is also trouble in Africa, and the Middle East.

[Dean]

We did NOT learn our lesson. Corrupt profit-seekers use it successfully even as we speak!

[Dean]

They??????? Your eyes are still closed!

[Aethereal]

Perhaps there's a case for saying "We" ?

[Dean]

yes indeed

[Stephen]

Umm .. yes, I do find here a long-story of quest. Too many mystery`s hidden behind your words!! I tried much to focus--focus and freaking re--focus to understand the "Meters" but as I started to think I`m learning .. your another new phrase brings me something new with new words and I get stuck again to understand what`s meters---------but I`m still doing practice .. reading your stuffs and taking help of google i`ll do it better. Anyway, your this poem`s very beautiful and this time I can say that it`s a childish one because last time i`d read your few stuffs, they were all reflecting your childish nature but in this poem, I do find many great things. You know what? This poem making me believe that it`s some kind of related to .. Umm ... "fighters" .. isn`t it? Weapons, money, locomotives, quest .. such kind of words are still tumbling down on the edges of my mind. Nice work, I`d look forward reading your stuffs in a mean--while!

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your detailed review, Stephen! Look up “Manifest Destiny” on the Internet to get some insight as to what it was all about. Each verse of this poem has two lines in 1/0/1/0/1/0/1 seven syllable meter, and two under-lapping lines in 1/0/1/0/1 five syllable meter. 1 = accent; 0 = non-accent. I only use two sounds through out this entire poem. Each rhyme word is only use once in the entire poem. All rhymes are exact, and no rhymes are forced. If you have trouble finding where accents fall then use the “Dictionary Lookup” on your Microsoft Word Processor because it shows accent marks for compound words. Writing metered poetry is like weaving a pattern into a rug. All you do is match the accents and non-accents of the words to a pre selected 1’s and 0’s pattern where 1 = accent; 0 = non-accent. Poets are rug weavers.

[Stephen]

Your welcome, Sweety. Hey.. now let me know first what are accents from your point of views? Because many times i`ve seen that you use 1 = Accents and 0 = Non-Accents .. so, what`s that?? As far as I know about accents is pronunciation .. but i`m not confused, May be... here accents representing something different, wanna define it first or should I try to check out myself?

[Aethereal]

An accent is the stress given to each syllable of a word. In the dictionary, it is represented by a tiny mark above the syllable. Type a multi-syllable word into "Dictionary Lookup" and you’ll find where the accents are on each syllable by where this little mark is placed. Non-accented syllables have no marks.

[Stephen]

Oh now I got it ..i`m taking a help of Dictionary and i`ve found few ones ..let me know, am I right or not ..ok? Here`s "Affiliate" .. it`s accent is "Affiliation" and other one .. "Dejected" ..umm..it`s accents is "Dejectedly" .... is that what you talking about??

[Aethereal]

Type affiliate into the dictionary, hit the lookup button. Down below this word is broken into four syllables Af.fil.i.at the last syllable "at" has the accent mark on it so it has the stress, and all the other syllables are non-accented syllables.

[Stephen]

I checked out here :- http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/affiliate?s=t ..am I going right?

[Aethereal]

Use "Dictionary Lookup" on your computer's Microsoft Word Processor. addiliate is here broken up into four syllables af fil i ate; ate is the one with the accent mark over it. "ate" gets the stress. The other syllable have no stress as they are non-accents. Single syllable words may be stresses or not not stressed as you would like.

[Aethereal]

Dont forget to hit the Dictionary button after you hit the Lookup button.

[Stephen]

I`m even still trying much but as I hit the "Look-up" button and put the world "addiliate" (in search for) it answering me "Adulate" with a right mark (ABC) .. and of course it`s asked me like ..all refrences books ...and blah..blah..blah ...

[Stephen]

And moreover, i`m not getting find any "Dictionary button" here but yeah., "refrence" button`s there ...

[Aethereal]

I meant type in the word affiliate, not addilate. I hit the wrong key while typing affiliate and ended up with two d's instead of two f's.

[Stephen]

Freaking hell! I`m getting trashed outta my mind .. lol Sweety .. I think, I really shouldn`t disturb you anymore because i`m really not getting find anything .. i'll try to understand it later on .. and if you get time then you can click a pic. of these things in step-wise and can send me via mail ..it`d be much helpful to me and if not then Ah! it`s alright, Sweety .. I won`t mind ... and hey .. i`ll catch you within few couple minutes, i`m a bit busy as of this moment. C ya, sweety ;)

[Aethereal]

Type in: How to use a dictionary" on the internet and read for yourself how it is done. Just get a regular book dictionary.

[Stephen]

I`m back .. yeah, i`ve done that .. and it showed me this : http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Dictionary .. is there any other procedure to learn and read "ACCENTS" AND whatever ..instead of using "Microsoft ones???"

[Aethereal]

Every book type dictionary has its words divided into syllables where accent marks are placed above the stressed syllables. Just get a paper back dictionary. Amazon has a large number of books for writers. Your public library also has them in the reference section. I'm sure that that pretty librarian, (the one with the big pair of glasses and the red hair), at your public library will tell you all about accents if you ask her.

[Stephen]

You make me chuckle, sweety ...so if I urge to buy my own such a dictionary where I could find accent and non ones then can I purchase if from market? and if yes then what`d I say ..like what I want or need??

[Aethereal]

Get Webster's New Compact Desk Dictionary, or any Webster's Dictionary. There's always a guide as to how to use it to find accents at the beginning of the dictionary. Find a discount book store where you live, or go to Amazon.

[Stephen]

Perfect .. sounds good! Thanks, Sweety for always being on my side helping me out. Hey ..one more thing, can you suggest me some books or some online sites from where I could get some "BASIC" knowledge of writing "Meters" or like in your ways?

[Aethereal]

Just type in "The mechanics of meter and rhyme" or How to write poetry, or meter, and then Google it. There is a great deal of information out there on your Google search engine.

[Stephen]

I got it .. I got it! Well, thanks Sweety for the beautiful conversation. I`m always happy to learn and heyy .. yeah, i`m just gonna study those links you`ve sent me... Thank you so much and hey, do you remember? you`ve suggested me to google "Manifest Destiny" to learn more about it ..yeah, i`ve just browsed there and now i`ve got every point what you wanted to convey through this write ... you know what? I always love arts, history and the creations so, I always love reading ..writing and learning about `em ..thanks for writing this "Manifest Destiny" write. With the depth of my heart, I do appreciate and adore this beautiful write. Stay blessed, Sweety ;)

[Dhaye]

True in all parts of the world. Here in our place, the natives keep on moving to the mountains because they have to do it. They have to go away from their own land because the "invaders" are stronger with their weapons and money. The land with the beautiful view of nature is now a place with buildings...modern establishments and facilities, while the people don't care how they destroy the world with such modernization.

Love the concept here, Ae. Impressive again.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your detailed review, Dhaye! Island people know what it feels like to be invaded time and time again. All they ever wanted to be was left alone in their paradise. “They ( invaders ) killed paradise and built up a parking lot” battered with bomb craters.

[Dhaye]

You're welcome.

[Pryde Foltz]

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

Brava.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, Pryde! Yes, our Earth is a relatively small place. Unless we can go off planet in large numbers, we're stuck here with each other. Earth’s encaged minions are at the mercy of their jailers. This cage contains a pandemonium full of diverse moods swishing about like ghastly lost souls begging to be set free. Death is the only trump card that these jailers have, for these jailers have no creative imagination with which to invent an alternative.

[icelandicblue]

We are poison when we go and by that poison we shall destroy ourselves. It's the second time tonight I have thought of Horatio Alger. Well done.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your review, and apropos quote, icelandicblue! Snakes are cursed by their own venom.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we just keep destroying ourselves...the native tribes knew how to live, how to preserve and live with nature...all we do is destroy it, and us.

it's coming soon...

really well worded piece.

[Aethereal]

Thanks for your insightful review, jacob! And we thought that we were civilizing them. We seem to be of one mind. My ancestors from Holland traveled West where they tried to buy land from Native Americans, but they would not sell them any of their land; and so they moved East where they could buy land for farming since they respected the wish of the Native Americans to be left alone. They refused to take Native American land by force. Later they helped free black slaves in the South by contributing to the Underground Railway, and providing jobs for desperate African American run-a-ways.

[Sami Khalil]

A splendid poem. Your pen awakens our conscience to the reality of wars, injustice and oppression of the servile subjects. You put things to the test in your great perspectives...Bravo.......................

[Aethereal]

Thanks for being the first one to review this theme-poem that has always been in the corner of my mind ever since I learned how the West was won by us Europeans, Sami! We're still feeling the aftereffects of the bad example that we set for the rest of the world way back then. Perhaps someday we're learn that might doesn't make right, and that there’s a better way to resolve our misunderstandings than committing genocide on an entire people. Maybe we have already learned our lesson? The Western Hemisphere should have belonged to Native Americans; now their ghosts haunt us as they urge us all to be better human beings. Invaders first degrade those whom they wish to enslave and destroy.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. All true. A wonderful message that takes humility and the power of forgiveness. You are welcome...:)...................