Best Poems Written by Daniel Murphy

Native People

The skies were so blue and the eagle so free,
 the people I knew roamed from the hills to the sea:

 But a ship came ashore with men dressed in bright armor
 they took hold of my woman and said we won't harm her;

 And then before I knew it 500 years had passed by,
 and now all the people say there's no use to try;

 I SING WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE, I SING WHERE HAVE THEY GONE?

 The elders are saying that it's the beginning of the next 500,
 they tell me that once again the buffalo will be hunted;

 The elders keep saying that freedom will soon reign,
 they tell me fresh waters will wash away the old pain;

 I want to run free like the wind through the trees,
 the elders are saying never again will we fall to our knees;

 I SING WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE, I SING WHERE HAVE THEY GONE?

 But now I hear hoof-beats, I hear the people returning,
 the elders just smile and keep the sacred fires burning;

 There's light in the hills and the horses are restless,
 and the people are so excited they sing until breathless;

 For the elders are saying that all of the people are coming,
 they're  walking,  they're running, it's home that they're coming;

 I sing there are the people, I sing there they come now; 

 I SING THERE ARE THE PEOPLE, I CAN SEE THEM ALL NOW......


(Written originally for Spirit Of Crazy Horse newspaper-1994- in support of LEONARD PELTIER)
Leonard, a Native brother, was wrongfully imprisoned for murder in 1976. At 69 years old he remains imprisoned today in Florida, despite obvious proof that he was 'set-up', and clearly an innocent man.
Thank You for reading my poem. Hoka-hey Leonard.
Dan

Copyright © Daniel Murphy | Year Posted 2013