Winds of Arete
What is it about white,
its exertion of might
through tireless fight
to strip honor and light
from others of the right
to unfurl wings to flight?
Drums beat the day
pulse for old-new ways
travels on winds of arete.
We will be heard.
I’m reading Tommy Orange’s book, “There There” right now and feel it is a vital and important piece of literature in telling the urban Native American story. I highly recommend it.
Today is Indigenous People’s Day and is celebrated as a State Observance or State Holiday in 28 States, including Michigan (which is marked as a tentative date?) Looking at timeanddate.com website, interestingly in 2019, 33 States recognized it and in 2021, 30 recognized it.
De Jackson (aka whimsygizmo) is today’s host for dVerse’ Quadrille Monday. De wants us to write a 44-word poem (not including title) using the word light.
Tao Talk 
This has a power to it….esepecially at the end. I can imagine this as the voice of the Native American….as the Haitian immigrant . . . of many. And yes, what is it about “white”? From time old nursery tales, old Westerns, etc….black as the opposite of white when it’s not a binary choice. Food for thought in your quadrille today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lillian, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment.
LikeLike
Powerful Li(sa)— very powerful! I have, all my life, aligned my spiritual beliefs with nature. The natural world has always spoken to me. In that way, I am more in sync with the wisdom found in being in balance with nature, than I am with any faux human constructs. ✌🏼🫶🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rob, I can see that in you through your poems. Faux human construct is a good term for it. What Orange talks about in the book is what it means to be Indian and he backs away from the faux human construct (what he and others think of when they think of Indian.)
LikeLike
Loving the steady drumbeat of this rhyme, Lisa. Wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
De, thank you <3
LikeLike
So many silenced voices there are…
LikeLike
I love your winds of arête, Lisa, the repetitive sound in the rhymes, and the rhythmic lines:
‘Drums beat the day
pulse for old-new ways
travels on winds of arete.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
THIS is real, right, sincere, loud. THIS is what poetry is for, to call out, to protest. So well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ain, thanks much. You are really good at those kinds of poems.
LikeLike
Love the rhythm, rhyme, and message, Li!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nolcha, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful and rhythmic, Lisa. Thank you for highlighting the day of observance and Orange’s work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Steve, thank you. I just happened across the book and so happy to have done so. I’ve got his new book on order also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Our daughter-in-law is Indigenous and interested in such writers… this might be a good pick for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The story mainly takes place around Oakland, CA. I’m sure your daughter in-law has read Louise Erdrich? She’s excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know if she has, but this is great. Some books to suss out early. Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love their voices and I believed that their stories will come to light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Grace. I do also.
LikeLike
An important piece today as we reflect on the past and the new. A friend once told me “we are the land and the land is us” I thought it profound.
Drums beat the day
pulse for old-new ways
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
While the federal government recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I find it a pity it’s not listed as a federal holiday – unlike Columbus Day. Based on your stats, it appears there’s a downward trend in the number of states recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, another unfortunate development.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is a pity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A powerful quadrille Lisa. It makes you sit up and think.
to strip honor and light
from others of the right
to unfurl wings to flight?
The mighty whitey is alive and well. 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Christine.
LikeLike
Ha my wife is on vacation in the Greek Islands so Arete caught my eye. Very informative video, certainly some similar issues in Canada, though the history is somewhat different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s cool, Randy. Nice place for a vacay. I wish I knew a Native American word for the concept.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would go so far as to suggest there is no equivalent word for “vacation”. I heard about an on-going project in Canada to try and match indigenous languages with modern equivalents so maybe they will come up with something!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not thinking of arete as vacation, but more a way to treat fellow humans with respect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Understood
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “white” have exerted their “might” almost everywhere in the world and the repercussions are still there even now. May every voice be heard. Your voice is very powerful and important, Li. ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Punam, I appreciate the gravity of your comment and appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome, Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the book reference
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Cheryl. I borrowed it through the library, but now I am buying it and his other one.
LikeLike
Beautifully written Li
LikeLike
Sadje, thank you <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great poem, Lisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, thank you.
LikeLike
🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
A profound topic addressed beautifully through beautiful poetic device of rhyme. Great write, Li. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kitty, thank you very much.
LikeLike
Beautifully and powerfully done! Love this, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale, thanks much <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure is mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done Lisa. I learned another new word today… arete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dwight. I found it on rhymezone when looking for rhymes with -ay words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting. Good for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful pulsing verse !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chris, thank you :)
LikeLike
Powerful piece, excellent rhyme. Thanks for the book rec, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cris, thank you very much, and my pleasure on the book.
LikeLike
Perfect for Indigenous Peoples’ Day–and any time. Powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merril, thanks very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice!
I will try to track down a copy of the book to read sometime too. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you do, Shaun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerfully written, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Nicole <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice post 🌺🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person