Post by michaelgallatin on Nov 21, 2011 13:16:16 GMT -5
The cougar, bear
and wolf run free
upon the land
once roamed by me.
White men cheated
and they lied
as in the clouds
our old gods cried.
But they wept in vain
though they cried long
as told to us
in Indian song.
They mourn the treaties
broken still
and interlopers
who came here to kill.
To slaughter buffalo
and destroy our dreams
as our peaceful world
split at the seams.
They called us primitive
and said they were grand,
come here to take
our lives and land.
Sailed from far across
the vast, wide ocean
to bring death of which
we had no notion.
We welcomed them with
arms spread wide apart
to hold them to
our breast and heart.
But hearts they pierced
and blood was spilled
as a way of life
was raped and killed.
Yet ghosts float upon
the evening air,
war cries of those
no longer there.
You may hear them
as they sadly cry
saying Indian dreams
will never die!
Michael "Taku Skan Skan" Gallatin
Author's Note - Taku skan skan is Lakota Sioux and refers to the flow of life force through all living things. "We" called the American Indians a primitive people and yet they were vastly more intelligent in terms of living with the land and the animals that roamed it. I've often wondered who is the more "primitive" people! May the Indian spirit forever live on and find peace!
and wolf run free
upon the land
once roamed by me.
White men cheated
and they lied
as in the clouds
our old gods cried.
But they wept in vain
though they cried long
as told to us
in Indian song.
They mourn the treaties
broken still
and interlopers
who came here to kill.
To slaughter buffalo
and destroy our dreams
as our peaceful world
split at the seams.
They called us primitive
and said they were grand,
come here to take
our lives and land.
Sailed from far across
the vast, wide ocean
to bring death of which
we had no notion.
We welcomed them with
arms spread wide apart
to hold them to
our breast and heart.
But hearts they pierced
and blood was spilled
as a way of life
was raped and killed.
Yet ghosts float upon
the evening air,
war cries of those
no longer there.
You may hear them
as they sadly cry
saying Indian dreams
will never die!
Michael "Taku Skan Skan" Gallatin
Author's Note - Taku skan skan is Lakota Sioux and refers to the flow of life force through all living things. "We" called the American Indians a primitive people and yet they were vastly more intelligent in terms of living with the land and the animals that roamed it. I've often wondered who is the more "primitive" people! May the Indian spirit forever live on and find peace!
you today!
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
