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