This poem is one that conveys just one of the many failures of America as a nation, highlighting that they wrongfully massacred 38 Dakota men , and yet history hides this fact. The author, Layli Long Soldier’s method of educating and informing is unorthodox, using poetry to illustrate the atrocities inflicted upon the Dakota people. Not only does she use poetry, but the manner of the poem is written to the point where it’s difficult to discern whether it really is a poem. She does so by using exact and meticulous language, emphasizing her words with italicizations and repetition.
This unique and unorthodox yet seemingly common writing style is further used by Soldier even going as far as explaining and defining words while writing the piece. Defining words such as ceding, writing the definition or explaining the true meanings within the context. It feels as though she writes this as she learns about it, carefully explaining and writing her thoughts, understanding the history of this tragic story and writing every detail into the piece.
Well done Samin. I agree the writing style is very unorthodox but I believe this helps get the point across easier. Translating this event into a poem with a very informative tone does a good job in teaching the reader about the importance of this event. The author does not exaggerate anything and I think this serves justice to the poem. Lastly, do you believe this sort of poem helps deliver a message better compared to that of an orthodox poem and why?