The War of 1812

The preamble of this post is yeaterday's epistle.

I was billed at the conference as, not only as an American journalist, but a poet...a moniker I like.

My opening remarks for the gather fit the introduction.

The War of 1812

© 2012 Rolland G. Smith

Two hundred years have come an gone

And still we talk about a fight.

Instead of peace and man's a song

And countries know what's wrong and right.

Perhaps our families took up arms

to harm the other in a fight.

It happened on the lakes and farms

Both here and there and in Detroit.

But when twas done and peace was signed

Twas noithing gained and much as lost.

So many souls left dead or blind

A needless war and tragic cost.

Not one side lost and no one won

Just people died to hold the fort

And all because of Madison

An ill-thought war with lives cut short.

But there's a side called "another."

A Shawnee Chief of noble birth.

Tacumsa and his prophet brother

Fought to defend their sacred earth.

But they were left, as red man knows

To stand along without support

Despite the promise and the prose.

The white man always did distort.

But that was then and this is now.

Today we have a common ground.

It's time for us to pledge and vow

The quest for peace is what's profound.