On the Tragic Death of Meriwether Lewis

give to PBS

A continent’s scout that once touched

Pacific sands has on the Natchez Trace

Taken his life at Grinder’s Stand.

 

Such the news the Chickasaw agent bore

In telling a beloved president

Meriwether Lewis was no more.

 

Five years ago you were set on a quest,

Mr. Jefferson sending you and William Clark

To the back of a nation’s curious west.

 

And now, on a porch of a tavern in

Tennessee, you look back in that direction

That has ever seduced thee.

 

The Mandan’s song still warbles in your ears;

The Big Muddy’s current rushes on

Through your tears…

 

But you cannot shake him

That black dog of lassitude;

That murderous hell-hound who

Has shadowed you across majestic American

Longitudes.

 

This image is there is it not?

In the polish of your piece

With every throb of your head

The beast’s bay ebbs at your peace.

 

During the journey, Clark was there to

Chase away the hound

Knew how to handle him,

Knew how to keep him bound.

 

And that’s perhaps why you are looking west

This time around

Not for something new--that you have found,

No, you are simply looking yonder for someone

To kill this damn hound.

Author's Note

This was inspired from viewing Ken Burns' Lewis and Clark documentary on PBS.

Reviews

[B.J]

I enjoy history, we don't get a lot of American history here in Australia but I enjoyed reading your work well done

[joshua sky]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[B.J]

Your welcome

[Sue Hart]

I'm glad you watched it. The work was historic and unnerving in its truth. Very well done.

[Heather]

Bound the hound! Use the hound! Handle the hound! Kill the damn hound!! I like it. It tastes like unfairness and excitement at the same time.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you for shedding the light on this documentary . I think I missed seeing it. But I enjoy history alot...Bravo.......................