Since the beginning of what we call civilization
Young men earned respect by going to war
Once that need to fight for a reason was gone
Nothing to seek battlefield honor for
Nations go to war for many other reasons
Mercenaries risk all for fortune and fame
Without seeking something inside the warrior
Campaigning for trinkets just not the same
Native Americans braves stole horses
This ability made them big men in their tribe
The number of horses gave him standing
Many horses showed what he had inside
Horses showed courage, strength and cunning
Necessary to continue a way of life
This cycle extending tribal ways longer
Braves were forged like the hunting knife
The Indian couldn’t adapt to winter warfare
Deer and buffalo gone no food to find
The brave spent his time feeding the tribe
Seeking honor now far from his mind
Without game to hunt the native would starve
To fight or eat would determine his fate
He had never had a need for supply lines
The Native Americans had to assimilate
Some complain Native Americans mistreated
They believe Natives didn’t do the same thing
Tribes conquered those who came before
With each conquest new ways to bring
We must not allow our culture to be changed
By those seeking change for change’s sake
If we allow the immoral to alter our society
All that we stand for will surely break
We must look forward as we maintain
A way of life sacrificed, fought and died for
Keep an eye to history and never lose sight of
What our nation stands for at its very core
JBentley-23Aug2024