Dedicated With Love

An eagle is soaring on high

 

Across an azure blue sky

 

A tiny cabin sits upon a rolling hillside

 

Near a winding river stream

 

The smoke of longhouses and campfires in the distance

 

The smell of cedar, sweet grass and sage is awesome

 

As the sound of drums and flutes fill the air

 

Two children at play

 

Two grandfathers watching them

 

From not so far away sitting talking atop of the hill

 

It is a beautiful day filled with sunshine

 

A few cottony clouds floating by

 

Two different cultures

 

Two wonderful old friends

 

The little boy is half Irish and half Cherokee

 

The little girl as Irish as she can be

 

That's the way it was when Melba met George

 

There was no such thing as radio or TV

 

Just moments spent enjoying one another's company

 

It was the turn of the 19th century

 

Times were changing quite rapidly

 

But Melba and George were young and carefree

 

When they met it was at a Halloween party

 

There was singing and dancing and so much to do

 

George was handsome and tall and wore long black braids

 

His skin naturally bronzed from the sun

 

Melba had pale ivory skin with freckles on her face

 

She was petite with locks of golden hair

 

Soon the two of them became a pair

 

They destined to marry and so

 

George left his father's Indian Reservation

 

Moved into the big city with Melba as his bride

 

She bore him three children

 

A daughter and two sons

 

Betty Eileen, Jack and Ronald

 

Just starting out they had a beautiful life together

 

With the hopes, plans and dreams

 

That all young couples have

 

Until one day tragedy struck

 

It was during the time of "The Great Depression"

 

Times were tough and jobs were scarce

 

George was out of work all but for running a small farm

 

He made just enough to keep his family fed

 

Not many luxuries could they afford

 

But they were happy

 

An old acquaintance of George's

 

Stopped by their house to visit one day

 

George was headed into town

 

To pick up groceries and a few things at the local market

 

He asked his friend would he like to accompany him

 

The friend obliged to tag along

 

That is when destiny or fate went terribly wrong

 

As they entered the market, his friend pulled out a gun

 

Threatened the store owner behind the counter to lay low

 

George spoke up and said

 

"I'll have no part in this, I am not that kind of man..."

 

At that point his acquaintance stepped back

 

And, aimed the gun directly at George

 

George turned to leave the store when his assailant

 

Shot him in the side, as George fell and crumpled to the floor

 

The store owner grabbed the gun from the shooter

 

And so held him at bay until help arrived

 

By that time George had bled profusely

 

He was rushed to the nearest hospital

 

When Melba and their three little children arrived

 

George died with Melba at his side

 

In her loving arms she held him

 

As he took his last breath of life

 

My mother was Betty Eileen

 

She was six years old at the time

 

Of the shooting death of her father

 

Her brothers Jack was three and Ronald one and half

 

She never got over the shock of losing her "Daddy"

 

This poem is dedicated with love to my Grandfather

 

 

Reviews

[Emily B]

Such a fitting tribute to a good man. Thank you for sharing it.

[barricade]

it's just so touching...can feel all the emotions...can see it happening right before me...right from start to end...as though i was a part of it...and that's exactly what a great write is all about...
a perfect write debileah! captures all the emotions beautifully!
a great tribute...an excellent write!

regards
barricade...

[Shellie]

I like the imagery and the tragic love story, and the fact it is true gives it more emotion. Lovely tribute.

[Suelou]

This is such a sad, touching story, Deb. A great tribute.

[Wildfleour]

Quite the tribute, my friend.

[Debra Stevens Edwards (..]

This beauty and love of the piece touched my heart and Brought tears to my eyes. The transition from a life filled with love to the harsh reality of a so called friend. Was like the bullet that struck Georges side. Devastating and leaving a wake of emotion behind. An outstanding dedication to your Grandfather.
Hugs Debby

[R J Askew]

George died with Melba at his side ... is the pivotal line for me. I enjoyed the progression from ideal innocent times into harsher realities and a terrible betrayal of friendship.

[Wicahpi]

Wow, Deb, what a tragic story!
That's horrible and so sad.
What a love, story, too.
God bless all our grandfathers
and our husbands and children.

Grandmothers too...

[Spoken]

wow, what a powerful story..

I love how you set the scene adding the sounds and smells to really take the reader in the beauty of it all. It really added to the impact of the loss at the end. Truely tragic. I applaud your grandfather for standing up for what he believed. Thank you for sharing his story and beautiful spirit through your words.

[Belinda Rice]

Wow this was so powerful yet very complete of true heart felt words you again have put together such a wonder poem....I really enjoyed this one cause it was straight from your heart and how you really feel Koodo's my friend and I hope all is well and I will give you a 100 On this one as well..God Bless