I Will Fight no More Forever (In the words of Chief Joseph)

Have you ever felt like there was no reason left to fight?

Where your loved ones and your very way of life was threatened

But when you looked around you realized…

They were already gone?

I watched my children slowly starve to death

Ravaged by disease

And for what?

So a man could say that he owned the land which can’t be owned

I could never sell the bones of my mother and father

Could you?

It was my job to keep my people safe

I have failed

And man has failed the Great Chief

Brother against brother

An innocent life for an innocent life

Can there ever be peace?

My people cry,

Beg on their knees for warmth and food

Are you one of them who turns away?

We left the land we loved so dearly

Our homes…

You had what you wanted

Why couldn’t you just let us go!

My spirit is gone

It died with the rest of my people

And my body is doomed to die of a broken heart

Every reason I had is gone

I will fight no more forever

I can only hope that one day

My people can return to the place of their birth

Hunt the buffalo and soar with the eagle over the plains

And maybe one day

America will be for everyone what it once was for us

In the words of the white man

Free…   

Dedicated to Chief Joseph, all the Native Americans who suffered, and to those who are still suffering. Also dedicated to and inspired by my history teacher Mrs. Robb.