Blood and Tears | Teen Ink

Blood and Tears

October 15, 2018
By Rhiannon_4 DIAMOND, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Rhiannon_4 DIAMOND, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
62 articles 87 photos 200 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both. <br /> - Native American proverb<br /> <br /> Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.<br /> - Dylan Thomas<br /> <br /> What is past is past -- it is the present and the future that concern us.<br /> - Hiawatha, founder of the Iroquois Confederacy


Before Columbus came on his ship;

We had no need for ownership;

Our tribes were tightly knit;

Then you came and forced us to split.

 

We respected Mother Earth;

We were grateful for her worth;

Then you came and destroyed our lifestyle;

And expected us to reconcile.

 

You show our home no respect;

The importance of the environment you neglect;

All you do is kill and destroy;

With the diseases and weapons you employ.

 

You slaughtered our men, women, and children;

After we showed you how to begin;

We taught you how to thrive on this new continent;

Then you turn around and think you are dominant.

 

Without us you wouldn’t be here;

You tried to make us cower in fear;

This has been our home for thousands of years;

Regardless of all our shed blood and tears.

 

Our cultures will not be buried in dust;

You will not win, for you are unjust;

You consider us wild and savage;

But you’re the thieves who murdered us in cold blood.

 

You tried to make us flee;

And forced us to bend the knee;

When will you finally understand?

This was, is, and always will be our land.


The author's comments:

This poem is about what happened when Europeans came to the Americas, and it is written from the perspective of Native Americans.


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This article has 2 comments.


on Oct. 31 2018 at 2:38 pm
Rhiannon_4 DIAMOND, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
62 articles 87 photos 200 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both. <br /> - Native American proverb<br /> <br /> Do not go gentle into that good night but rage, rage against the dying of the light.<br /> - Dylan Thomas<br /> <br /> What is past is past -- it is the present and the future that concern us.<br /> - Hiawatha, founder of the Iroquois Confederacy

Thank you so much, you have no idea how much that means. Native Americans don't have a loud enough voice in today's society, and I'm trying to change that, even if just the littlest bit.

AlinaLee GOLD said...
on Oct. 31 2018 at 12:28 pm
AlinaLee GOLD, Hogansburg, New York
15 articles 0 photos 14 comments
I am truly stunned. Reading this I had goosebumps and I was in complete shock. From your writing I assume that you are indigenous/ native american, as well as myself. I believe that your voice is powerful. The way you speak is remarkable. Please continue to write and speak for our people. I look forward to reading more of your writing.