Native and White Feet On The Earth

Native and White Feet On The Earth

On this earth Native feet once stood
Spending their lives doing what they could;
Making their homes from hide and wood,
Raising their families as they thought they should.

Then came the White race proud and strong
Bringing change with them along;
Not intending to do what is wrong
Yet compelled to take what to Natives belonged.

The scourge of the white man all can see,
Just remember Wounded Knee;
God will protect us as we flee,
Just bring our children and follow me.

Now much later White feet are found
Making tracks upon the ground
Changing Earth in ways profound
The cycles of life going round and round.

What of Earth and sky and tree?
What could they say to you and me?
They have seen what Native and White can be,
Each in their own right full and free.

What of hurt still remains
From this conquest of the plains?
Does Earth’s grieving explain
The moaning wind and tears of rain?

What a tragedy on this Earth!
Cultural dominance instead of a birth
Of blended cultures with greater girth,
Of growth and union filled with mirth.

Can Earth and White and Native be
Joined together creatively?
Proud and rich and full and free—
Can it start between you and me?