The author opens up the poem by explaining that writing and grammar have their rules, and so will this poem in that it will not exaggerate any events that took place. The poem opens up by explaining, chronologically, what Dakota 38 was and how it originated. The author utilized an informative style of writing the poem in order to teach us the significant events that took place during this hanging, as well as keep the readers engaged throughout the poem. The author enforces that when a situation that is difficult to understand comes by, that she will take the time, or an extra line, to explain the full meaning of what occurred for those who may not have fully understood. Language that may have been difficult to understand, was later explained by the author through parenthesis or explanations. “But another way to understand that sort of ‘purchase’ is:Dakota leaders ceded land…” The use of explaining these ideas and the use of parenthesis throughout the poem allows for the reader to stay engaged and focused on what the author is saying. This style of writing poems is not familiar with me as I am used to working with lyrical and or dramatic poetry.
After stating that Dakota had lost nearly all of its land as only 10 miles of it remained, and explaining where the word Minnesota originates from, the author utilized a key point that, “everything is in the language we use.”After stating this point, the author later refers to Minnesota as, “Mnisota,” which is directly related to the statement that was made prior. The author, rather than fully writing out Minnesota, shortens the word of the state to express her disappointment that such a barrier even created such a situation in which the natives in Minnesota got practically no money for giving up their land. The use of language has created barriers amongst people, but it can also create a façade throughout the media. For example, Abraham Lincoln was an astounding president that is praised even today for his contributions to society. However, as the author states, during the same week that President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he ordered the largest legal mass execution in US history, to this day. This goes to show that language can prevent us from seeing the truth and thus, generating the barrier that we know today.
I can totally relate with you when you say “this style of writing poems is not familiar with me as I am used to working with lyrical and or dramatic poetry”. Seconds into reading/listening to this poem I was questioning – how can this possibly be considered a poem? Informative language doesn’t seem something that belongs in poetry, but she made it work.
I agree with you that this poem has a very unique structure, instead of lyrical and dramatic language it is more informative. The author uses her language to not only retell the history of Dakota 38 but also to teach the readers the correct words and phrases to emphasize the importance of language. I really liked the part where you said that language has created barriers amongst people and that language has prevented us from seeing the truth which we can see in today’s society.
I enjoyed the fact that this poem had a structure which is unlike most others. The author teaches us the importance of our words and how they could be used to emphasize the point that we are trying to make. Honestly, I think if it wasn’t for the uniqueness of this poems structure, I would not have been as engaged as I was.