Oxidized Truths

Poem written Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado

Oh Red Rocks
How did those
Reddish hues
Get in you and
Taint your
Dreadlocks?

Is it that flow
That flows
Down
The cracks of
Your back
To the valleys
Below
I want to
Know
Did it come from
Emancipated
Negreos or
From
The drums
And
Souls of
Native Americans?
Ute ought to know
Cheyenne
Arapahos
Comanche
Pawnee
Their blood
Still spills
From these
Hills to
Little Big Horn and
Wounded Knee
Check the things
Not written in
American History

Or was
It from
The blood
Of slaves
You tried
To save?
But they got
Trapped
In those jagged
Formations
That formed
Silent cremations
As bloodied
Fingers wrote
Notes in
Cuneiform
From their tombs
As their souls
Bled
You were
Fed the blood
Of the dead

Oh Red Rocks
How did those
Reddish hues
Get in you?

ORE

Is it iron oxide
That turns your
Insides red
That is
Bloodying
Up your dreads?

Author's Note

I heard an inquisitive child ask her parents why were the rocks red and not yellow, orange or green. This imbued this poem.

Reviews

[Jamestown]

Love this so much, I have been blessed to see most of the concerts I've attended
at this amazing amphitheater and have hiked and climbed all over this park, did you know at the
very peak of the rock located just right of the stage, there is a natural cute
out in the rock, called devil's chair, many have died climbing, 1000$
fine, fun times, great write brought back great memories.

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

All praises due to the father...I have to experience a concert there but it is on my bucket list. It was so serene a piece if heaven at about 6500 feet.

[....................]

This is by far my favorite of your poems I have read thus far. So many great lines which draw us into history (told and untold) and leave us with profound images. This is such a clever piece! Kudos!!

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Thanks so much for the kind review. It is difficult for me and strange to have anyone like my work. I am the poet that is on the wrong side of the tapestry of American Poetry. Thanks for putting me on the other side; it feels strange....

[....................]

I am glad you have not let your poetic location relative to what is the "right" side of the tapestry of american Poetry stifle your voice. What you have written here speaks to the treatment of African and Native Americans throughout your nation's growth. I hope you never lose that voice!

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Thank you...humble am I, humbled more by appreciation.

[dan]

Rico, Bravo! Standing in tune with Native and African American, robbed of their land and/or freedom. This talks of a place (maybe) more well known as a concert amphitheater venue than a place to inspire poetry and song, or mourn the wrongs incurred in that area. This is a terrific piece, Rico, be proud of it! take care...dan

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Thanks Dan.....you have done a lot..I appreciate you...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think it is the blood of many----native americans, african americans...
and all of those who shed their blood in the name of Freedom.

well done, Rico.

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Thanks Jacob it was an amazing day and a great venue to write from

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my buddy was there for a Moody Blues concert and sent me the cassette tape of it...
said it was absolutely breathtaking.

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

Cassette tape? No I am on the floor laughing...well at least it wasn't an 8 track
...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, those were awful....the player always ate the tapes..i. still have about 500 albums on vinyl...still to me the best sound ever...

cassettes were bad too...always had to use the pencil to move the stuck tape. ha ha.

[Jerome F Knox III pseudonym Nefarious J. Dorsey]

I remember doing that and rethreading that reel to reel