War By Lee Maracle Summary

When you fall, they say brush yourself off and try again. Nevertheless, like most things in life, to do so is easier said than done. Especially with a history such as those of the First Nations people. To recount such a history is beyond imagination, one dark and desolate; to try recount words such as torture… scorn… mockery… disdain…hatred are impeccable examples. Regardless of the animosity and malice directed at the First Nations, many discovered the power within themselves to overcome the horrors that were their lives, as well as to find the strength to move on. First Nation’s not only chose to move on, but to also share their experiences and stories. While many have poignant tales of sadness and despair, among them are those who portray …show more content…
The strength one woman is able to express in one piece is an inspiration to any reader. Maracle initiates with a portrayal of nature, at present the reader is unaware of the connection to the repulsions Maracle has faced. Nevertheless, presently Maracle probes, “Can I deny a heritage blackened by/the toil of billions, conceived in/rape, plunder and butchery?” (Maracle). With solely a few words Maracle is able to convey a past of horror and anguish. For many such a past would cause one to hide and feel petrified; opportunely, this is not the case for the forceful Lee Maracle. Afterwards Maracle goes on appealing, “European thief; liar, bloodsucker/I deny you not. I fear you not. Your/reality and mine no longer rankles me” (Maracle). Here the tone of the poet is bitter, enraged, and irate; nonetheless, Maracle endures by proclaiming that she has no fear of those who caused all of the dismay and dread in her and her people’s life. Maracle is cutting all ties with her destroyers, instead showing that they no longer have validity nor a role in her life. Maracle concludes, “I am moved by my scars, by my own filth/to re-write history with my body/to shed the blood of those who betray themselves” (Maracle). There is a great strength that lies in those words; Maracle elucidates that her scars and history are a part of who she is. Instead of endeavouring to hide her past, she is moved by it; …show more content…
Unfortunately not all are able to forget what has happened and are not able to move on. Nevertheless, there are those who have not succumbed to fear and pain, and instead have used that painful history to write literature. The pain and fear instead are channeled through their work, and readers are able to feel the incredible yet painful emotions that the poet is describing. The final poet is Marcel Petiquay who has written My Little Residential School Suitcase, this poem is almost like a story. The poet begins the piece with a six year old boy getting ready to be sent off to a residential school, and further states, “In my little suitcase, my mother had also put/ all the love she had, without forgetting the love from my father” (Petiquay). This line portrays innocence, and causes the reader to already feel pain as to what is to come. Readers are aware of the history and pain that is caused by the residential schools and wish to shield that little boy from the torture and despair he is about to face. Furthermore, Petiquay explains the qualities that he has been taught as a child, qualities of “tenderness, respect, sharing and embraces...” (Petiquay). At this point the poetry is childlike, yet with quick progression it changes to that harsh reality that has become one of the First Nation people. With pained words the poet