I Am... - Voice of a Former Sioux

I am a weed in the settlers’ garden that won’t come out.
I wonder how many battles I will see before my light goes out.
I hear the screams of the fallen, but none hear my cry.
I see people hiding in smiles when all they want is to die.
I want only to keep the land we have been living on.
I am a Sioux, and will be a Sioux even when the lies have won.1

I pretend to be strong, an insect speaking from a bear’s tongue.
I feel foreboding of a day when our last song will be sung.
I worry that Tatanka Iyotanka will give in under hunger’s hiss.
I touch my shorn hair and can’t forgive the ones who did this.
I cry when I see that our spirits are long gone.
I am a Sioux, even now that the lies have won.2

I understand that there is nothing we can do to resist.
I say it is useless for one to clench a broken fist.
I dream we are a proud people, but “Americanization” is reality.
I try to let go of painful memories, and fall to the present’s brutality.
I hope the clouds will apologize for blocking out the sun.
I am no longer a Sioux, because the lies have won.

Author notes

A homework assignment for History class. Not really a former Sioux... This was fun to write, though. Poor Sioux person...

A contest entry

Please let me know what you think. Thanks! ^.^

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Comments

1 - 12 of 12

  • Forgotten Anomaly
    October 4, 2008

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    This reminded me of my Native American studies class last year. Horrible, horrible things that were done to the Indains. This poem was spot on, except that my teacher would be mad about using the serm Sioux instead of Dakota, technacalities. I really do like this, I think it could really make people think.


    • Lover of Stories
      October 5, 2008
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      Thanks. I actually didn't know it should have been Dakota... >.> The textbook I looked at used the term Sioux. My apologies.


  • Prodigious.Mirth
    September 27, 2008

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    Intersting
    I loved the language used.
    Could not identify much myself.
    But I deeply respect beautiful, touching, poetry like this.

    GOOD LUCK
    Temaria - Blair


  • Reaver Greeters member
    September 24, 2008

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    This was a thinker, but very well done!

    ALl the luck in teh contest! Great write!

    Rian


  • Bello.Midnight
    September 23, 2008

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    I am not so sure about the concept of the poem as I am not ameriacan I am assuming from the peice..but I do love the way it was portrayed and just how wondeerfully each line complimented the other.

    Blake ♣


  • Sgs
    September 20, 2008

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    Awesome, simply awesome. As a person who is half Navajo and half white, I have always identified with the Native side of myself more than the Caucasian. Great job!


  • bird-mad girl
    September 11, 2008

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    This was a really nicely woven piece. I like how you added in history and the change coming over the Sioux. It was a really strong piece. I also liked how every last line in the three stanzas related to each other, and th slight change at the end really made this piece powerful.

1 - 12 of 12