Terry D. Sutherland

MELANIE

Gus Palmer Sr. and Melanie C. Campos: 1978-1979. Melanie was 18 or 19 years old and was running for Miss Indian Oklahoma when this picture taken. Her escort was the late Gus Palmer Sr of their Kiowa Tribe, a WWII veteran, and a Ton-Kon-Ghat WarriorMelanie the maiden fair
With buckskin dress
And jet black hair
Loved the prairie
And the mountain air

She danced the round dance
And rose with the sun
Her brothers were warriors
As were their sons

Her sisters were proud
Of beauty and grace
Their conviction was sound
They were of the Kiowa race

She writes her own story
With words she paints
Of warriors and glory
And mothers and saints

Melanie is American pure
The daughter of Kiowa
Proud and sure

Author’s Note: For Melanie C. Campos ~ MahTame