character sketch, or hit the road, Jack

Jun 11th, 2009

by Deb.

Fourteen Months with Kit Carson

It was only fourteen days total –
you’d gone to hunt buffalo and trade.
Leaving me to raise your Adaline,
leaving me to bury our dead child,
leaving me, leaving me, always
leaving me. I won’t be left.
I am the crown of my own.

I shimmer with care for the four sacred
arrows. My children — now count them:
seven — alive. You are nothing
small man. I divorce you. Your mean
things and the girl sit outside my tent.
My brothers may set the claim
but I define the markers.

Take your daughter
to New Mexico. Become catholic.
The priests will keep her safe
from pox and famine. Horses aplenty
in that place. Leave us here alone.
Leave the buffalo and leave.

The Cheyenne women portraits are from the Edward S. Curtis collection, early 1800s.

Roadmaker, renamed that by her second husband (Charles “Charlie” Rath), was Kit Carson’s second wife. She was born as Making-Out-Road and is the stuff of legends, called beautiful, spirited, vivacious and also wanting fine things. She married two Cheyenne warriors in quick succession, Flat Head and then Wolf Man, after divorcing Carson, who went on to New Mexico, converted to Catholicism and found a Mexican wife mate who would die bearing him his seventh child.

Her name, Roadmaker, original Making-Out-Roads, did not mean “laying out roads or paths” as many historians have stated. Neatha Seger said, “Her name meant “laid down the law” as many a man had ample reason to learn throughout her lifetime. And he went on to state, “Nobody pushed Roadmaker around.”

From The Rath Trail, by Ida Ellen Rath

The poem was inspired by a recent return trip to the Heard Museum where I saw a fabulous mural* that showed Kit Carson as a government pawn. The tour leader said he had married two Native Americans and that most people didn’t know that. I set out to learn a little about them; Roadmaker was clearly fascinating and while I am not thrilled with my poem response to Carolee’s prompt at Read Write Poem, I am keen on Roadmaker. Perhaps I’ll try another version or two.

Find other dates with characters here.

*”Fear of a Red Planet: Removal and Relocation,” Acrylic and oils on canvas, 18 panels, 8’ x 160’. Designed and painted by Steven Yazzie.

No related posts.

Nicole Nicholson says:

June 11, 2009 at 8:04 am

Nice! I get a sense of her disgust and anger in this poem – and thank you for providing the backstory. Good write.

Mark S. says:

June 11, 2009 at 8:44 am

Thank you for not only your delightful poem, but the history lesson and reasoning behind it. I was not only enthralled, but educated.

A marvelous combination. :-)

Paul Oakley says:

June 11, 2009 at 8:51 am

Wonderful, strong voice in this poem.

My brothers may set the claim
but I define the markers.

I love those two lines.

Rachel Barenblat says:

June 11, 2009 at 9:14 am

I really like

I won’t be left.
I am the crown of my own.

Lawrence Gladeview says:

June 11, 2009 at 9:15 am

really dig the western frontier take on this poem. excellent use of strong language throughout and really enjoyed the defining of feminine power in a period of male/paternal dominance. a cold piece from a proud narrator, powerful execution.

Deb says:

June 11, 2009 at 9:51 am

Hi Nicole, thanks for reading. I’m glad that feeling came through.

June 11, 2009 at 9:53 am

Thanks, Mark. I really enjoyed this prompt. If I were a better poet — or able to do epic work, rather — I’d attempt to put the story in the poem. It was intriguing to try to find out about her.

June 11, 2009 at 9:54 am

Paul & Rachel, thanks for the visit and pointing out phrases you like. I really appreciate feedback like that!

June 11, 2009 at 9:55 am

Hi Lawrence, thanks for your comment. It is very difficult to find female voices from the frontier. I wonder how much of the story was romanticized, but nonetheless, appreciate Making-Out-Roads. I think she’d make a fine story subject.

Donald Harbour says:

June 11, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Deb, I enjoyed your poem not only for composition but from a personal perspective. I have read several books on Kit Carson and own fourteen acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains overlooking Fort Garland where Carson and Roadmaker lived. You should visit it if you ever get a chance. The Fort is a national historical site and museum. Thanks.