"FREEDOM"

Many, many moons ago
Our lives so different
My ancestors have told me so

The books we read while at school
Told us lies about our ways
They made us look like the fool

We lived in total freedom then and there
Before our land was stolen
And our children forced to cut their hair

Forests were full of food for the kill
Fish in the rivers, enough for all
Now we wonder if we'll get our fill

We didn't go to other lands to fight
Life was simple, our needs were met
Then all was taken, like a thief in the night

Flash ahead through many years
Living in reservations, our land so little
If we are free, then why so many fears?

Many promises were made but then not kept
How naive we were to believe
We should've looked before we lept

So many lost in that long walk north
If nothing else, text books should tell
The real "Trail of Tears" we went forth

A ton of money is spent around the earth
Why not feed out own
All the hungry babies, for what it's worth?

Our great land, all about the free
We have fought hard
So I could write this without any worry!


Dori Wheeler  17july09