This poem is very unique from any other poem that I read. When i recall all the poems that I have read in the past, they all spiral into one group, which would be poems that rhyme or have a certain pattern to it. However, this poem is completely different because a story is being told about history. This poem is also a completely different genre from the ones i have read. This one is historical. Layoli is telling the story of the 38 Dakota men that were hung. She emphasizes on the irony of President Lincoln’s decision at the time he decided to sign the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves, but he also ordered to kill 38 Dakota men the same week. When Layoli says, “Everything is in the language we use” she is referring to the way people structure the way they speak to other people. This reminds me of when she talked about how the Dakota leaders were tricked into signing the treaty because of the language. The Dakota leaders didn’t understand the language, but Layoli knows that if they did they would have never signed it. Layoli also repeats the words “starve” and “starved”, stating that they don’t need emphasis. This also adds to what she meant by “Everything is in the language we use”. She used the word starve as a straightforward word that isn’t being exaggerated so that the readers can understand the power of those words. The Dakota people were stripped of their land and rights. Layoli makes sure to use the right language to make an impact on readers. She is being straightforward and plain throughout the whole poem, but the language that she uses throughout the poem have a huge impact and are very powerful.
