It’s all Dale’s fault. She’s been doing this challenge for a while now. I thought, “17 words, I can do this, right? Of course right.” If you’d like to try it, it’s led by Sammi Cox
Missionaries’ flames ignite to kill the Indian, but save the child.
America the beautiful?
Or
Identity theft?
Oooooo that was wonderful. You have such an affinity with history and it gives you such good subject matter. I have to tune into that a bity.. Well done!!
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Dear Violet,
I do love history and Native American history has been on my mind and heart lately. I’m glad this worked. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is great Rochelle. Thanks for the link to it!
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Thank you, Di. This is definitely something new for me. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They are a good fun challenge because the word count differs every week,
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Dear Rochelle,
G’head, blame me! I can take it…
And wowzer! This was beyond fantastic!
17 very powerful words, my friend
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Now you’re making me blush. 😊 Thank you.
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
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Blush away, so long as you know I speak true.
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Oh I love what you did! You inspired me too over at my blog https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/2018/12/weekend-writing-prompt-my-poetry.html 🙂
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Dear Nicole,
Happy to inspire. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my gosh! Now, that was gooooooood!
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So many thanks, Linda. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good one, Rochelle. I remember those prompts. I think I’ll give it a try.
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Dear Ted,
Dale introduced me to this one. It’s all her fault. I have to say it was fun. Glad you liked. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This subject is so well covered in 17 words!!! As someone who has worked with Native Americans through my years as an archaeologist, I have felt empathy for the tribes and anger from them. It’s a Catch 22. Because they have been stomped on, mowed down by Gatling guns, had their children stolen, skin turned into lampshades … Oh, I digress. Evidently, your wee story stirred something up. Well done.
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Dear Lish,
Lampshades??? That’s too close to the Nazi Holocaust for comfort. As I’ve been researching for my book, the more disturbing American history I’ve learned. My consolation is that my people were overseas in Eastern Europe being persecuted for being Jewish. Craziness.
Thank you for your affirming comments on my 17 words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Namaste Rochelle, Happy New Year 🙂
Powerful and poignant, sharp as a razor’s edge. Great response.
Namaste 🙂
DN
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Dear Dewin,
Thank you for such an affirming comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Namaste Rochelle 🙂
My pleasure Rochelle. Violet Lentz highlights your keen interest in history, and whilst individuals always have more than one string to their lyrical bow, it is our passions that speak most often in our words.
I hope you’ll continue to participate in Sammi’s Saturday Challenge: a growing community of writers/poets brought together by a common denominator and supportive of each other. The diversity of work is appealing, the standard always inspiring, the Challenge a
Go in Love, Live in Peace. Namaste 🙂
DN
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Another prompt well covered – i shall hhave to check out that link..
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Dear Liz,
Thank you for your kind comment. Yes, do check it out. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad and yet such a common tale for indigenous people. I believe the Australian authorities and missions were still removing mixed race children from their families until the 1970s. What crimes committed in the name of ‘civilising’ people? A tragic 17 words
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Dear Lynn,
Actually the US boarding schools were in operation through the 1970’s as well. I don’t see how they could call that civilized. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Depressing, how late some of these practices persisted. Generations will be suffering under these attitudes still. I’d like to say we live in more enlightened times, but when big business is still allowed to dispossess native peoples from their lands for the sake of money, I’m not so sure. Always a pleasure to read your fiction, Rochelle
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Very powerful. Well done
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Many thanks, my friend, Lyneane. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How do you do it? So few words accompanied with the photo conjures up many thoughts and feelings. Another Grand Slam Professor Wordsmith.
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Dear Jan,
First time for me on this prompt. Had to give it a shot. Thanks for affirming comment/compliment, m’luv.
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Astonishing use of the 17 words, Rochelle. Truly a distillation of many layers of meaning, regarding the appropriation of native peoples’ own identities. I find it hard to accept that some missionaries believed they were being righteous and bringing benefit.
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Dear Francine,
This was my first attempt at this challenge. I’m happy that it worked, but not happy about what has been done to the Native American people. I should think missionary work would mean giving something rather than robbing. At any rate, I’ll stop rambling and say, “Thank you.” Happy New Year.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle. I saw this Saturday, so tired, couldn’t remember how to get back into wordpress. Have added a book to my bag with all my passwords and such so it doesn’t happen again. Love the poem. So very true. I love that missionaries are so exuberant to spread God’s love… but it needs to be tempered with wisdom and cultural awareness. Love the pics, too. shalom, Jelli
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Dear Beautiful Bear,
I couldn’t help but think of you when I wrote this. Thank you so much for your guidance and affirming comments. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always welcome! 🙂
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So powerful and moving, and all in 17 words 🙂
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