America’s Worst Joke
We have not protector. No savior.
I almost laughed at the thought.
They took our religion. Muddied the connection
with the ancestors and elders.
Gave us the White Man’s God instead.
But as we get down on our knees,
as we lift our hands, as we pray to their Lord,
we’re berated. We’re beaten. We’re killed.
Funny that the same motions they gave us
to kill off our religion, they now use to kill us off.
Who is there to protect us? Their God?
The one that told them to kill the Natives?
That told them the world was theirs to take?
The God that killed our gods? Ha!
He has given no protection. No salvation.
I almost laughed at the thought.
8 thoughts on "America’s Worst Joke"
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1 hunnid
Powerful. Vivid.
Love how it wraps around at the end. Great start to the month!
. . .laugh at the thought . . . how we wish this did not cut deep to reveal a pain we don’t know and can only observe with eyes squinted against the hurt.
Bronson pointed out the “return” at the end; the subtle movement from protector to protection, savior to salvation creates a powerful echo.
I like what you are doing from a technical/craft perspective. The poem is compressed and the sentence use varies — from long sentence to short fragment. The message is delivered powerfully. Thanks.
I really like these lines of thought!
“They took our religion. Muddied the connection
with the ancestors and elders.”
“The one that told them to kill the Natives?
That told them the world was theirs to take?”
Very powerful Poem!
This world has many powerful stories that poets can gather up…
Your gathering is evident.