Treaty words

“As long as the moon shall rise”

(Has it fallen from the skies?)

“As long as the rivers flow”

(Garbage plugged them long ago)

“As long as the sun shall shine”

(Thick smog from skyline to skyline)

“As long as the grass does grow”

(Only pavement now does show)

Author's Note

Words from a Canadian song “As Long as the Grass Grows: A Treaty Song from Saskatchewan” by Sneena Koops and cover by Johnny Cash from the alblum “Bitter Tears” of the treaty with the Iroquois Indians granting them their land, that George Washington signed and was quickly broken for westward expansion, and a reservoir for settlers, with added parenthetical retorts.

Reviews

[AYVID N]

This is a most brilliant and entertaining poem, dear Soren and I loved it from start to finish. A very relatable poem for me as I live in one of the most polluted and jam packed countries in the world and some days find it hard to keep together my sanity. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[Soren]

Thank you so much divya for your most valued comments. Yes it is a shame that we don't seem to value our obligation to nature and even less any promises or obligations to our fellow man.

[AYVID N]

It was a pleasure!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'm so empathetic to the forced plight of the Native American. Or any native for that matter. Modernization and industrialization have led us nearer to annihilation as a species on this planet. Governments like to sweep the facts of genocide under their perspective rugs, of course. Chief Two Moons of the Cheyenne once said, "The white man has made us only one promise that he has kept. He promised to take our land and he took it." The Aboriginal people of Australia shared a similar fate and pretty much every culture that honored the earth in their customs and care; the rain forest natives of South America, etc. Every place on this earth European cultures have conquered and populated have become waste dumps and factories of destruction. I appreciate your poem and pointing out the truth of that matter. I enjoyed the read. F.

[Soren]

Thank you so much Fabian for the read and comments. Yes and in the process we have not only made ourselves liars but have destroyed our own environment.

[Chris Shaw]

I don’t know a great deal about the history of your country but I can see from these lines the contrast between how beautiful the land originally was with its indigenous population and what it has now become. I must check out Bitter Tears. I am a fan of Johnny Cash. Thank you for your author’s note and for sharing. As a lover of the natural environment, I find it heartbreaking to think of the loss of its beauty.

[Soren]

Thank you Chris for the review and kind words of comment as everywhere else lands were stolen, and what treaties were made were soon broken.

[Soren]

Thank you Chris for the review and kind words of comment as everywhere else lands were stolen, and what treaties were made were soon broken.

[willweb]

Yep, that is about the gist of it I would think. Everywhere I look, building, building and more building. How many damn buildings do we need. I'd like a little country please to go with my buildings. Sheesh. Like your counter take to the song my friend,

[Soren]

Thank you Will for the read and review as well as reflections. What government sees as eminent domain and the breaking of treaties is a sad thing.

[JD Major]

A pristine planet cared for by the Indigenous, looted and degraded by conquerors, promises broken,
haunting thoughts so well conveyed. Love your format too, Soren, alternating parentheses. innovative!

[Betty Hermelee]

What lands we took back from the Indian settlers in the west (broken treaty) is now a cesspool; I think you state this very well in this poem. Yes, in a sense we screwed ourselves by allowing too much to grow, in the big world... and we can thank ourselves for clogged rivers, smoggy skies and pavement stretching across the world. ...
Best, B

[Soren]

Thank you Betty for the review and comments. Yes we not only do it to others but ourselves as well.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Soren; I loved the poem!
Best, B