Protected
this stronghold only one entrance
Chochise guarded his people
against the enemy
Creek running through
dried venison plants cactus flour
fit for survival and escape
over the ridge into the mountains
US military made peace
gave Chochise his stronghold
as a reservation and let him be
to live out his days
Chochise died and buried there
wrapped in a red blanket
vermillon design on his face
he rode for the last time
Up the ragged wall of the hold
on his horse while being held up
by his beloved followers
to a place high on the ridge
Procession of his final journey
horse and dog and rifles
all dropped deep into a gorge
Chochise’s great warrior burial
Father leader friend peacemaker
lowered into that same gorge
buried into the heart chasm
of his homeland
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NaPoWriMo prompt – how to poem
Chochise Stronghold is in the state of Arizona