All of our ancestors never trekked west
only the hardiest tried
and of them, a handful survived.
Couldn’t separate the wise from the fools
each had a gleam in their eyes.
For a number of reasons they
hitched up their wagons to fulfill their dreams.
Some came with horses while others used mules.
Their were many hardships to their journey . . .
money, weather, Indians,
diseases and wild animals.
Yet the pioneers were legendary.

All of the Indians didn’t make war
but they wouldn’t yield their lands.
They didn’t want to alter their lives,
but the white-eyes, with guns, made them change.
The land was as wild as the men who came
seeking the Indians’ trust
though their promises were sheer lies.
They wanted prime land for their range.
Contagious bigotry soon fanned the fires
of the white-eyes’ desires.
Many died without knowing why
for not every man was so contrary.

All of our ancestors never trekked west
only the hardiest tried
and of them, a handful survived.
All of the Indians didn’t make war
but they wouldn’t yield their lands.
Haven’t we learned from the wild of the west
to speak from our hearts for ourselves;
others don’t always know what is best.