historic poetry

These are some of my poems capturing historic events of disaster, desperation and hopelessness that were countered by individual acts of bravery! I am currently working on an illustrated book of these and others of my original poems.

"Never Bend the Knee!" (the story of Grace O'Malley, the "Pirate Queen of Ireland"!) written by Don Hiser

Born amongst the lighting in a frightening winter gale! Raised among the ships and storms and stories sailors tell!

Her father, an O'Maile chieftain, taught her of no fear! Though seas were ruled by pirate men, she'd find her fortune there!

The Pirate Queen of Ireland! Forever say her name! For Grace O'Malley fought against all foes who came our way.

To save the shores of Ireland! To keep us safe and free!

So Irish blood from every shore would "Never Bend the Knee"!

Her father's fleet of mighty ships were hers after he died. And there off Eire's Western Coast, an empire she defied.

All along that western coast, tribute she'd demand of merchants, sailors, ships of war. All feared her pirate band!

Royal ships were sent to Claire where she was born and raised to capture and imprison all for crimes upon the waves.

Those ships sailed round the southern coast. Her ships controlled those seas.

She sent those galleys to the depths and set their captives free!

The Pirate Queen of Ireland! Forever say her name! For Grace O'Malley fought against all foes who came our way.

To save the shores of Ireland! To keep us safe and free!

So Irish blood from every shore would "Never Bend the Knee"!

That time Queen Elizabeth was making strong demands of Grace and every Irishman! "Pay the price or meet your end!"

Liz held Grace's two young sons in Ballynahinch jail. She swore her might would crush them all, to rule, and never fail!

The Pirate Queen of Ireland sailed off to London town to meet in person with her who held that royal crown.

Her courage did not fail her as she would not bend a knee to the leader of that dynasty! That mighty English Queen!

There was no feign of royalty as they stood face-to-face! Neither seemed to waiver in that splendid royal place.

Queen Liz saw in Grace's eyes a strong one just like she! With admiration Liz proclaimed, "I'll set your two boys free!".

Through centuries of battles where both lands have fought and died for freedom of those nations, both against and side-by-side.

For as both crowns of Ireland and England sought to fight. On that single day those leaders chose the path of right, not might.

On the day that Grace did die, Queen Liz was taken, too! Prayers were said across both lands for each one, chaste and true.

Both were "Queens" of their lands! Just one fought for her home.

Now Grace dwells in our Irish hearts wherever we may roam.

A statue stands in Westport House forever to remain! A symbol of dear Ireland! Her triumph and her pain!

For Grace O'Malley stood her ground so Irish could stay free. Still today we sing this song to "Never Bend the Knee"!

The Pirate Queen of Ireland! Forever say her name! For Grace O'Malley fought against all foes who came our way.

To save the shores of Ireland! To keep us safe and free!

So Irish blood from every shore would "Never Bend the Knee"!

copyright Don Hiser 2026

My Darling Breanna (The Battle of Blair Mountain)

written by Don Hiser

Oh, my Breanna! Where'd you go last night? My Darling Breanna! Where'd you go last night?

As we marched to form a union! It was a terrible fight?

It was late in August! Nineteen Twenty One. The rich they just got richer while we feared for our homes.

Logan, West Virginia! we were striking to survive as our families all went hungry while we labored in the mines.

The mining grew more dangerous and when a miner fell the owners turned his family out with ne're a lie to tell.

The scrips all turned more worthless as we fell deeper in debt to absent overseers who agreed our fate was set.

We fought in the Great War! Gave our all in that fight. And still held to the "rule of law" when fairly it was applied.

We weren't against the rich man, only wanted what was fair. (After) living through that horror we came home to more despair.

So we gathered from the hollows. We gathered from the dells. We marched along Tug River! We marched as evening fell.

We marched along, arm in arm! All brothers, black and white. Each knew the price might be our lives to strike for miners' rights.

Oh, my Breanna! Where'd you go last night? My Darling Breanna! Where'd you go last night?

As we marched to form a union! It was a terrible fight?

Thirteen thousand strong we marched on that fateful day to tell the world we'd had enough. To find a better way.

I said to my Breanna "Please stay home tonight! 'Cause "Mother Jones" had warned us Sheriff Chafin sought a fight!".

(But you) left our home in Sharples to support your loving man. Your Irish dander up took our young Jimmy by his hand.

You joined to watch with others as their men marched bravely by. A peaceful protest driven by no thought to fight and die.

The "Yellow Dogs" bought by the rich decided we were wrong and with no show of mercy shot into a peaceful throng.

And you, my dear Breanna, with Jimmy our dear son were shot down by the "Yellow Dogs" before that day was done.

Oh my Breanna! Where'd you go last night? My Darling Breanna! Where'd you go last night?

As we marched to form a union! It was a terrible fight?

Then came Warren Harding's soldiers so the Battle soon was lost. As owners and the government made sure we felt the cost.

We went on back to living! Some went back into the mines. Others left for parts unknown and some to the breadlines.

Now the hills of Appalachia were silent on the morn. On the empty streets of Logan you could still hear wails forlorn

as miners wept for families and placed them in the ground. No comfort could be given. No grace there could be found.

But now it's ten years after, as if risen from those graves a strong and vibrant union celebrates the grace they paid.

Another hundred years may pass! Perhaps a hundred more. The coal wars soon forgotten. But that gift will still endure.

So, stand you all together! From dawn to setting sun! And even if the battle's lost the war can still be won!

Each day we face the challenge! Each day we face that call! To fight on for the masses so that tyrants all should fall!

Oh my Breanna! Where'd you go last night? My Darling Breanna! Where'd you go last night?

As we marched there on Blair Mountain! For the cause of worker's rights?

THE GHOST OF DORA GRAY

written by Don Hiser

(dedicated to those coal miners who went below to provide us with comfort above, but never returned!)

Jimmie Gray came runnin' when his mother called that evenin' sayin' "Here's your daddy's supper and he's working' overtime.

So just leave it with the foreman and do thank him for his trouble. Then hurry home and Jimmie don't you dare go near that mine!"

The foreman knew young Jimmie and his daddy just as well. They say he and Caleb Gray had mined too many years to tell.

So, when he asked to take the meal down to his dad that night, the foreman stopped, then winked at him, and said it'd be alright.

Now the foreman knew the miner's code as well as any man. Just why he took the boy below no one could understand.

But Jimmie rode the lift with him straight down to level three. As happy as a miner's son could ever hope to be.

Then there came that dreaded noise that woke the sleeping' town. And all the locals gathered as explosions rocked the ground.

There was nothing anyone could do. No where that they could go until the dust had settled and the rumbling stopped below.

Now the ghosts of many miners walk the darkness of this mine. You can sometimes hear their footsteps. You can sometimes hear them cry.

As they search for a passage to the one's they left behind. Folks say 'till they find it that their ghosts will never die!

For seven days and seven nights we searched for eighteen men. We moved rafters, rocks and dirt and prayed, then cursed, and prayed again

for a light, a voice or just a noise from out of that debris. But on the morning of the eighth we closed up level three.

Now as the men were leaving, they heard a fearful cry! Someone had seen the widow Dora Gray go in the mine.

So, the miner's searched the corridors but never found a trace. Then said she'd joined the eighteen souls and died there on that day.

Now the ghost of Dora Gray walks the darkness of this mine. You can sometimes hear her footsteps. You can sometimes hear her cry.

As she searches for a passage to the one's they left behind. Folks say 'till she finds it that her ghost will never die!

Dora was a headstrong girl and loved her man and son. She never did believe that all that could be had been done.

For fifteen years have passed now since she disappeared that day.

But every now and then we'll see the ghost of Dora Gray!

THE GREAT STORM OF GALVESTON (Queen of the Waves)

written by Don Hiser

(dedicated to the nuns of St. Mary's orphanage in Galveston, Texas)

A light breeze was blowing on that September morning.

The Sisters of St. Mary's all knelt down to pray.

The sky was clear and all was well. There wasn't any warning.

In the fall of 1900 in that city by the bay.

Now the sisterhood was known throughout Galveston County

as a pious group of faithful who cared for everyone.

They taught the folks of Galveston the meaning of forgiveness

and sang these words of promise at each day's setting sun.

Queen of the Waves, the storm clouds gather round us.

Light up our way until we see the dawn.

It's through our faith thy sweet power will not falter.

Queen of the Waves show us mercy, keep us strong.

The orphans of St. Mary's had survived the yellow fever.

ninety-three were present at the orphanage that day.

As they sat down to their morning meal a young one asked sincerely,

"Please sing the words of promise as we bow our heads to pray.

Queen of the Waves, the storm clouds gather round us.

Light up our way until we see the dawn.

It's through our faith thy sweet power will not falter.

Queen of the Waves show us mercy, keep us strong.

That afternoon the rains began, and the wind howled through the windows.

The young ones' cries grew louder as they heard the storm bells ring.

10 brave nuns brushed fear aside as they gathered in the chapel.

The children's cries were quieted as the nuns began to sing.

Queen of the Waves, the storm clouds gather round us.

Light up our way until we see the dawn.

It's through our faith thy sweet power will not falter.

Queen of the Waves show us mercy, keep us strong.

The tide rose high. The waves crashed through the sea wall's strong protection.

It washed away those rooms where children's heads had laid.

All but three were taken. One hundred met their maker.

You might have heard this anthem as the waves washed them away.

Queen of the Waves, the storm clouds gather round us.

Light up our way until we see the dawn.

It's through our faith thy sweet power will not falter.

Queen of the Waves show us mercy, keep us strong.

The funeral pyres were burning, and the "dead gangs" were collecting.

No word of the survivors. No grace was found that day.

For the great storm of Galveston came and went that evening.

Eight thousand souls were taken in that city by the bay.

It's been over one-hundred years since that fateful evening.

Today a grand hotel sits atop St. Mary's graves.

If you listen carefully on its steps late in the evening

you'll hear a soft and gentle voice sing this song of faith.

Queen of the Waves, the storm clouds gather round us.

Light up our way until we see the dawn.

It's through our faith thy sweet power will not falter.

Queen of the Waves show us mercy, keep us strong.

Happy As I Can Be!
written by Don Hiser

Oh! I'm as happy as I can be! As happy as I can be!
There's places where things happened, I'm glad I wasn't there to see!
I'm as happy as I can be! Yes, I'm happy as I can be!
Bad things will always happen. But I'm glad they don't happen to me!

Oh! There are many places I wish that I could see.
Like the great big craters on the back of the moon and the bottom of the deep blue sea.
But if ever I could go back in time, back in history
there's places where things happened, I'm glad I wasn't there to see!

Oh! I tell you right now I'm glad I missed the Great Big Thompson Flood!
And not on that volcano when St. Helens blew out mud.
And I wouldn't want to be in San Francisco when the buildings shook to the ground.
I'd hate to be found in Chicago town when O'Leary's cow burned it down.

Oh! I'm as happy as I can be! As happy as I can be!
There's places where things happened, I'm glad I wasn't there to see!
I'm as happy as I can be! Yes, I'm happy as I can be!
Bad things will always happen. But I'm glad they don't happen to me!

Oh! Not on the Titanic when it last set sail.
I wouldn't want to be on Dutchman's Curve when two trains flew off the rail!
And I sure wouldn't want to be a soldier with Custer when he made his last stand.
And I wouldn't want to be with Alferd Packer and had to give him a helping "hand"!

Oh! Not in 1900 Galveston where thousands could not be saved.
Or on the Ed Fitzgerald as it fell beneath the waves.
Or underground when explosions brought the Monongah mine roof down.
I'm glad I wasn't at those places! I'm happy where I am right now!

Oh! I'm as happy as I can be! As happy as I can be!
There's places where things happened, I'm glad I wasn't there to see!
I'm as happy as I can be! Yes, I'm happy as I can be!
Bad things will always happen. But I'm glad they don't happen to me!