Blood and Tears (poem)

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.