The dichotomy strangles reason
Upon walls memorialized marble has etched words
Honoring those killed by Indians
Around the corner is the bronze statue

Reverence paid to bronze colored soldiers
Denied rights by their country
But able enough to slaughter
Other bronzed skinned natives

Upon both sides my family legacy lies
Both sides fought for their children
Both sides lost…both sides I shall always stand

In a sacred dwelling 127 years old
A new beginning is started
Upon ground my family’s history is planted
A blocks away my families name is eulogized
But upon the chapel walls
My other family names are not mentioned
Just their race

In the quiet wooded park
Where water stands still
An observer of history it is
But never can it wash away
The sins

A butterfly flaps it wings
To fly away to its freedom

How I wish I could be that butterfly
Wrapped around so many colors
Yet free to live as it is

08/21/2005

Author's Note: this poem was written while attending my step-brothers wedding held at Ft. Leavenworth Army Post. My families name is enshrined with it's name as a barracks....upon the chapel walls are memorials to those killed by "indians" who also are part of families past. It was weird to be honored with a barracks name....but also sad that others are memorialized upon the chapel walls as being killed by my other families side Native American ancestory. Yet upon this base is a monument to the Buffalo Soldiers who fought bravely for their country....all the while this country has denied the black man's existence far to long....it was surreal in some ways.....so surreal I had to write... I hope I have captured that. [IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a264/m-squared/Wedding%204/MVC-017F.jpg[/IMG]

Posted on 08/21/2005
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