The poem “38” was unlike other poems I’ve read in the past, the language that she uses can be described as straight forward, and even plain, but it conveys a sense of tension and calmness in different parts of the poem. Unlike a poem, Layli Long Soldier’s work seems to be more of a storytelling piece revealing the shocking facts of the Dakota 38 event. As stated in the poem, she did not intend to make this piece to be dramatized to appeal to readers as an “‘interesting’ read”, but the precision of language delivers the message powerfully using just “plainly stated facts”: “Dakota people began to starve…..were starving……starved. This transition described the helpless Dakota people facing dilemma due to oppression and mistreatment by the US government, and subsequently explains the Sioux Uprising—the direct cause of the execution of 28 Dakota men. By only stating the historical facts, Long Soldier highlights the brutality of the government and brings about strong sentiments against the shady business in the political world.
“Everything is in the language we use” was stated after bringing up the meanings of the word Minnesota which can be translated into Turbid water. Pointing out the dishonorable past hidden. She linked the same word Sota, which means turbid, to the treaties made between Dakota Nation and US, which was eventually unfulfilled. She condemns the government’s aim to exploit Dakota people’s resources without compensation that was agreed upon and stated on the treaties. Lastly, she intended for the reader to understand that language is a powerful tool that can be used to speak up, a weapon that can be used against authority.