‘Strong Stand’

By Tom Riley

 

Chief Watie won an honor rich and full:

they took his statue down in 2020.

Courage was what they labored to annul

back then -- and thus they proved that he had plenty.

Their watery revenge, unfunny jest,

had no effect, of course, upon the hero.

What weaklings by their bitter acts suggest

amounts when Final Judgment comes to zero.

And yet perhaps there was a real effect.

In Heaven, there are crowns:  so I’m maintaining.

Maybe some are for those who stand erect

when those who crawl are boundlessly complaining.

His statue down, he joined the company

of Forrest and of Jackson and of Lee.

 

(General Stand Watie’s statue was placed in storage by the Cherokee Nation on June 13, 2020.)

--

Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!

Anathema to the Union!