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"We Once Were, and Now Are No More"
(A Warriors Prayer)
C.J. Ingerson
10/10/98

Verse 1
********

"We left the . . .
reservation behind
we could not survive
we could not be men
or warriors of old
we were now women
like the corn planters
like the white man
who came to teach
Plus much of lies
and power
and domination.
So we learned much
but yet we knew
it was not enough
to be a chief
or a warrior
it was not
to be free
to roam and wander
to provide
for our own
we knew only
it was bad, evil.
And now looking backward
for the moment
is to know we knew
we were right to leave
for when the 2nd generation
has now become the 7th
and soon to be the 8th
where are our men
our warriors, our chiefs
or more importantly
where are our people
who now all are dead?"

Verse 2
********

"Once were we great . . .
no I think not
I think we thought
of greatness
but only in battle
only in our pride
but in history
no we were not great.
For greatness comes
not to those who wander
who move from place
to place in history
or in time and space
it comes to those
who build and create
and we burned and destroyed.
Harsh am I to say such
for what is left
to identify us
to another in this moment
called such as life
removed from fiction
from Hollywood movies
to the harsh reality of life?
Oh, we had great ones
they lived among us
they led us in war
but in peace they failed
for one party lies
and he is the conqueror
then his lies become the truth
and we become as stubble . . ."

Verse 3
********

"What is it . . .
we have now become
but a loathsome people?
No, I think not
for as I look down
I still see pride
but not in all
I see a restoration
of bits and pieces
of who and what
we were and
could be again.
We were a chosen people
we were descendants
of prophets of old
we were those
who came when
nothing was here
and built great cities
and civilizations
and then first
we destroyed
our brothers
and then ourselves.
So what can we be
with all this that was?
One of our early leaders
Shamans, prophets
prayed we might
be remembered
forgotten not,
and he was promised
that so it would be,
but now we remember
not to listen when
we're taught
because we still remember
the lies among the peace.

Verse 4
********

"So once we were . . .
and now are no more
so we have to begin again
to become what we were
it is not easy, but always
there will be one
who forward will step
and will lead us again
from no more
to once we were.
No path is easy
and a warriors path
is most difficult
is most dangerous
because a warrior alone
is alone and knows it
but a warrior with others
may be alone and not know it,
if this seems to confuse
it is difficult to strike
off to return to who
and where, but when others
scoff and laugh
now alone has new definition.
But I know now
as I did then
of who I was
and of where I came.
Seeking in darkness
to find the light
to once again
be free and among
those who came before
I seek the God
my fathers spoke of
and taught me some
when I was young
and I was brave
and would not listen. . ."

Verse 5
********

"Gone are the plains . . .
as the planting rain
and seasons pass.
Gone is the plainess
of survival's quest.
Gone is the darkness
in the night time.
Gone is the greatness
of which our fathers taught.
Gone is the knowledge
from our temples burned.
Gone is the past
from once we came.
Gone are the boats
we used to sail.
Gone are the days
of childhood play.
Gone are the days
when we could await another.
Gone is the time
to delay any longer.
Gone is my life if my
descendants do not listen.
Gone is my wife
and my children.
Gone is my life
for I was and am no more. . ."

Verse 6
********

"So harken my sons . . .
and daughters who once
were fair to behold,
listen to a fathers plea
a warrior who himself
did not pay heed
to those who knew,
don't be so proud
or be so drunk
in self destruction
or be so numb
you will not feel.
Open your eyes
my children
and see what
can be seen,
cleanse your ears
so you may hear again,
shake off the dust
of the past
so your doorstep
is clean and pure.
Oh my children
listen to this old one
now is already here
and if you listen not
all of our fathers
who've gone before
will have been in vain
and what once we were
we will be no more.
So my children
harken now to wisdom
not that of man's
but that of Fathers
who once again
has come as promised
to redeem through
His beloved Son,
who visited us
when we were young,
so once again
we can be among
His chosen people, I pray, Amen . . ."


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