free verse poem: Sacagawea, wife, mother, guide and translator on team Corps of Discovery |
"Shoshone Bird Woman" Long time past 1799 summer when berries are ripe My mother, only twelve winters old, Was stolen by Hidatsa tribe From the Shoshone People, The Snake Indians. During this long time past Mother lived among her captors. French-Canadian fur trader, my father, Won her in a gambling game. Trapper Toussaint Charbonneau Married his prize. Long time past 1804 winter when the moon is cold Fort Mandan on the Missouri River, A pregnant teen, Sacagawea, And her husband joined an expedition Formed by President Thomas Jefferson. Merriwether Lewis and William Clark Were assigned to lead The Corps of Discovery. The famous duo and crew first left Mississippi River On the Muddy Missouri by keel boat and pirogues Destined West to finish their journey on land Through mountains to the shores of Pacific Ocean. Long time past Lewis and Clark bonded with Bird Woman And me as a wee child riding on her back, My mother, who served as guide and translator For the expedition, trekking uncharted territory; Land explored, maps made, journals kept, Studies of terrain and records written With drawings of fauna, wildlife, and tribal living. As a self-declared adopted uncle, William Clark Nicknamed my mother as Janey, and me as Pomp. Sacagawea, Bird Woman, was also hailed Through many winters past as a peacemaker. Spirited; in tune with nature and humankind. line count 37 |