Person Poem: CHIEF OF SCOUTS, by John Dobbins

Chief of Scouts, Al Sieber
Hailed at top of list.
Brightly burning Son of Death,
No enemy could rest.

Alone, beyond the Corps…
Nature, his trusted friend.
Dressed in silent buckskin,
This immigrant helped US win.
Water from the cactus…
Medicine from plants…
Wisely guided leaders –
To victory, life and death.

First, he charged each battle,
Relentless and again!
Diving, rolling, leaping, shooting,
He silenced many men.
More than Crockett, Boone and Carson,
All together, in their graves…
Cringing at the thought of this,
Extolling Sieber’s fame.

Language made it difficult
To speak and comprehend.
Surely fueled the violence –
Raged inside to win…
Drove him to the wilderness,
Came to understand –
Truths of which we do not speak,
Hidden nature of humans…

Anywhere, this man could walk.
All knew well his test…
Chief of Scouts, Al Sieber –
Hero of the West!