MY INDIAN HEART

take away what is rightfully mine,
what I was born for, what I’ll die for,
take away my language, my dress,
my way of life, not owning the land,
take away my brothers and sisters,
leave us no place to stand,
but you can’t take away my heart,
my Indian heart....
for it shall always hear,
the wolves singing at night,
the eagle welcoming dawn’s early light,
and it shall always see,
the people with so many needs,
the trapped hearts crying to be free,
and it shall always smell,
wood smoke keeping us warm,
wood smoke kissing a chilly morn,
and it shall always taste,
the bitter tears of what is lost,
our way of life so carelessly tossed - aside,
and it shall always feel,
our ancestors crying to our souls,
singing of a time, when we were whole,
so you see - you have already lost,
so before you even start,
remember this - you cannot take away,
my Indian heart...

Melody Jackson mjackson@gci.net
Juneau, AK 99801United States