Sheila Williams ~ Singing Cloud

WOMAN OF THE TSALAGI!

Woman of the Tsalagi, created by Great Mysteries own plan,
blood kin, to her Mother Earth, respecting each other in their giving birth,
she, need hang her head to no man, or humble herself before him,
her words, are the lessons we live by, and remember.

It is through her, the clans are counted, her bloodlines that are followed,
her wisdom, has always helped to guide our Nation, equal in all ways
without her, there is no balance, no peace, and gentleness
it is her heart, that is the white path, we claim to follow.

The Warriors of our own kind, have forgotten,
she is his own mother, and grandmother,
they no longer show respect, or honor to her,
only one kind treated others like this, is this how the world should see you,
are we, now the same as them?

Who, with broken heart, watches the hungry babies cry,
the old ones sigh, and the children die, with no justice given,
who sees most clearly, the injustice of this land she walks,
who is now treated the same by the men, of her own kind?

How, have your own hearts, become so cold, and hard,
forgetting, what she means to you, how, have our People
become exactly, what we hated most in them, taking without giving
wanting only for ourselves, with no thought for others?

Has all hope been lost to our Peoples, all honor in our own ways,
are the hearts of your women, not in the dirt of your own making,
kicked, and trampled, without thought,
for what is owed to them, of love, and tenderness, for their healing?

Why, is there no more respect for self, than this, are you so far gone,
in dishonor, and disrespect for self you must now abuse,
those who give you life, where has gone the teaching of the Elders,
have your spirits grown so soiled by hatred?

When was the last time, you went to water, and cleansing,
greeted the rising sun in humble prayer, to marvel at Creators glory,
you mouth the words, hoping for your own praise for knowing them,
but you no longer live them.

Are they lost forever to your hearts, the old ways,
taught by your grandmothers, are we so far gone they have won,
and the genocide complete, what now then,
what, should we tell the children, who see how you
treat the mothers of their own People?

Turn from these ways of dishonor, and learn again your own ways,
we have walked our own ways, as equals in perfect balance,
showing respect for each other, and the gifting of knowledge by our women,
do not follow, those who teach such lies to you.

What is it then, we are still fighting for, what use to go on,
just assimilate, and be done, give away all that has kept you strong,
brave, and true, give away your heart, and spirit,
for you are throwing it in the faces of your own ancestors
who honored the woman.

If, there is pride in your heart, for who, and what you are,
tell me friend, who do you owe that too, who taught you,
it was right, and good, to have brown faces,
whose words, whispered comfort, when the whole world
hates you, for your own heritage?

Where, did you learn those prayers, at whose feet did you sit
knowing, you were loved, beyond life itself, whose gentle hands,
caressed away the hurt, that lives within you, the rage that boils
at the injustices thrown at you, who, taught you, to be you?

I, once knew a man of honor, who loved, and respected women in all
ways, he was a proud Tsalagi, and a proud MAN, he, was my grandfather!