One more entry into the series of Native American Poetry

Photo: marker in the parking lot at the trailhead at cochise's
stronghold, a campground

"Apache Warrior Chief"

by Amber "V" Moonstone 11/23/07

To love one another
as brothers and sisters,
You wanted a world of peace,
but all you received was hatred.

So long ago, you walked this earth,
But your spirit remains;
You were a proud and brave
Apache Warrior Chief.

On that afternoon in 1861,
when you faced Lt. George Bascom's
accusations and later shot, but escaped,
and watched him kill your relatives,
You vowed to take revenge.

Off into the Dragoon Mountains of Arizona
You hid and planned your raiding parties.
You finally surrendered after ten years,
Your words were these:

* "When God made the world he gave one part to the white man
and another to the Apache.
Why was it? Why did they come together?…
The white people have looked for me long. I am here!
What do they want? They have looked for me long; why am I worth so much?"

When your heart failed,
you went back to settle over Apache country.
On June 8, 1874,
in your mid 60's
the Great Spirit took you to the elders.

You were dressed and your face painted for war.
Back to the Dragoon Mountains,
you were buried in secrecy,
with your horse, dog, and weapons.

There at Your grave site:
**"The deadliest Fighting Handful in the calendar of Man"--
Cried!


author's notes:

*Cochise, chief of the Chokonen band of the Chiricahua Apaches, statement made during peace talks with General Gordon Granger, 1866. From Peter Nabokov’s book Native American Testimony.

**quote also from the same Nabokov's book

My research continues into this part of Native American History.
Peace, Love, and Light,
Amber "V" Moonstone