Where I’m FromPerspective PoemsThe Trail of Tears

Based on True accounts of family members of native Americans who experienced the long and torturous walk.

Written by Mrs. Oqueli’s 7th Grade Avid Class

The Journey:

According to the Cherokee Nation Resource Center, an estimated 4,000 Native Americans died on the Trail of Tears from hunger, exposure and disease. The journey became a cultural memory as the "trail where they cried" for the Cherokees and other removed tribes. Today it is widely remembered by the general public as the "Trail of Tears". The Oklahoma chapter of the Trail of Tears Association has begun the task of marking the graves of Trail survivors with bronze memorials.

Where I’m fromBy: Gracie Abalos In perspective of: Carnes, Solomon

I’m from the city in the forest,I’m from hard work and singing,I’m from hard floors and beatings, From mom’s home cooked buffalo,From the long journeys from there to here, I’m from losing loved ones,I’m from the big oak tree,I’m from the disheartening life

Where I’m from Poem The FortBy: Riley Barger

I’m from watching white settlers trying toTake my land.I’m from building a fort so the settlers wouldNot get into our land.I’m from watching people lookOver the fort.I’m from working hard so that the Fort could be built.I’m from being in command so that They wouldn’t take our land.I’m from watching them change the nameFrom hunt to Abrams hill.

WHERE IM FROMBy: Kaci Botkins

I’m from the little townsFrom working outside

I’m from my papa FrankFrom my father dying young

I’m from the Sunnyside SchoolFrom my little sister

To finding my parentsI’m from the white settlers

Trying to take my landI am from 1861Back in the day

“Where I’m from”By: Janice Cochran

I am from guns, From guards and being hunted, I am from the blood And murder.It felt wrong, I am from clansThe grass Tall and green.I am from I am from dancing andRecipes.

From mother and Father, And long hot days.I am from cleaning And sweat.From “have high goals my son.”From Cherokee.I am from my tribe, Corn and potatoes.And the deep lakes.I am from hope in myself.

Trail Of TearsAlexander, JobeWhere I’m fromBy: Gavin Cook

I am from Indians

And long walksFrom full blood IndiansAnd familyAlso from Indian TerritoryI am from rituals And people that I care aboutAnd the people that care about meAnd the loved ones that I lost

Where I’m from Agnew, Mary CobbBy: Jade Cummings

I am from people dying all around meFrom mom and dad to strangers I don’t know

I am from boats and landFrom an unfair world

I am from the dirt beneath my feet From black and brown

Where I’m FromMary PayneBy: Alexis Green

I’m am from deceased family members,From tears,

And broken hearts.Hiding the past.I’m from people of sorrow,And from my dads pain,And heartache.I am from the next generation of the trail of tears.

Where I’m From Bird DoubleheadBy: Ian Horner

I am from the calm beaches in GeorgiaFrom the grueling trip to Arkansas From the welcoming settlementFrom the wonderful marriage

I am from the South EastFrom the hot daysFrom the cool beaches

I am from a trail of painFrom the tears shedFrom the lives lost

I am from the losses of my tribe From the friends I have lost

I was from a wonderful place in Arkansas I am from the trail of pain

Where I’m FromBy: Nathan Hussey

I am from Going-Lake District, Indian Territory, And Cherokee Nation.From March 10th, 1854, and May 3, 1938.I am from the place where Indians roam freely.

Where people are suffering to survive due to the people who take our land.It looked like we were going to be punished for nothing.I am now from nowhere where sadness grows every day.The people we saved in war are now turning on us.Cause they seem to love money more than their saviors.I’m from the place they call death where you know it’s almost your time.

Trail of tears. J. W. StephensBy Shelbee Justice

The trail of tears So sad and darkI knowLeaving families behindDark men and women Making us go Letting our hearts breakListening to the rip like soft musicThat was where I am from.

But now on this long walk I can growWhen I reach my destination I can say

The trail of tears is where I’m fromWhen they askI was a lasting survivorLeaving my family behindI am still from the fire glowing and the hunt of prey I am still from the colors and the grey And the old dried fresh clayNo more from the pain hurt and slave I will forgive the demons they carried Because That is where I’m from

Where I’m fromBy: Matthew Odom

I’m from Georgia I’m from hard working non stop

I’m at a place where I don’t get paid

I still feel the colors and grey and fresh grey clay

I’m from bad people and poor homes that’s where I’m from

Where I’m FromBy: Nathan Plumb

I am from the sorrows of a trail,The cries of children fill the air.I’m just waiting for death But I should save my breath.For I have a long journey.To a place we know of notBut we must trot on.We save the newcomers,They push us away.For money sickens the mind,Of man.

Where I’m FromWhitmire, ElizaBy: Jorja Potts

I’m from GeorgiaSlavery to moving,

I’m from a farm Civil war to being born a slave,I’m from suffering Horror to unfortunate,I’m from IndiansGreedy horses to Pillage the Indians’ homesI’m from the trail of tears

Where I’m FromC. B. HarrisBy: Makenzie Proctor

I’m from the Cherokees and IndiansFrom full bloods and half bloods I’m from familiesAnd routesFrom trails And pursuitsI’m from the nobody And the somebodyI’m from screaming And crying And deathI am the Trail of Tears

Where I’m FromTrail of TearsBy: Shannon Sullivan

Long, hard, tiring, and painfulThese words describe

The trail of tears, Many people died Some of starvation and some of diseaseOne whole year of traveling and suffering Then finally the long trip was at its end.