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| Longing by � dark_deer Longing, Part I Dark-skinned girl with ebony eyes Sits on the playground swings Watches children running, playing Their joyful laughter stings She doesn't understand what's wrong With the color of her skin As she sits longing, longing, longing Longing to fit in Her Grandmother carries herself With dignity and pride But the girl grows to hates her roots Wants to run away and hide Won't speak the language, learn the songs Is embarrassed by her kin And she sits longing, longing, longing Longing to fit in And so she grows and marries A man of lighter race As her half-breed children grow up The dominant culture they embrace They never wonder where they belong For they wear a fairer skin As long as they can pass for white There'll be no longing to fit in And so the generations repeat Until blue-eyed blonde granddaughter Feels the pull of Earth drum; Her connection to Grandmother Water And though her need to know is strong She must pay for her grandma's sin So she sits longing, longing, longing Longing to fit in There's an empty place inside her As she wishes for the chance To regain all that has been lost But dark eyes look at her askance She doesn't understand what's wrong With the color of her skin And she sits longing, longing, longing Longing to fit in. � Mel Dark Deer 5/25/02 Longing ? Part II The elder sees the woman Feels her longing to fit in So as he leaves the circle He asks, "Are you an Indian?" The question takes her by surprise - Is he laughing at her plight? Surely her blond hair and fair skin Tell the world she?s "white" But there's a twinkle in his eye And acceptance in his voice She knows he will hear her story And it makes her heart rejoice "I had a dark skin great grandma But her daughter was ashamed So my mother hid her heritage And I know not from where she came I have searched for many years All to no avail I fear that I will never know My great grandmother's tale So, no, I?m not an Indian Though my ancestors were, I've heard I just like to watch you folks... I suppose that sounds absurd." The Grandfather cocked his head And gave a knowing glance. "Ohhh...you only came to watch?", he said "I thought that you might like to dance." "Oh no!" the woman laughed, "I?m white as you can see. My place is here on the outside I'm not a 'wannabe'" And though she laughed as she spoke A tear rolled down her face She turned her head so he wouldn't see And laugh at her disgrace But reaching out a finger He lifted up her chin Then looking deep into her eyes The Grandfather did begin He smiled with compassion Said, "Is that what you?ve been told? Ah, these young pups nowadays Know not the ways of old. We were not a People Who cared about the color of one's skin Anyone who came to learn Was welcome and 'fit in' It was the conquerors who taught us To divide and separate How strange our children should adopt The habits of those they claim to hate! If you really want to learn, my child If you are ready to begin Then come join us in the dance And BE an Indian." And so she joined the Circle And felt her heart beat strong At long last she had come home To the place where she belongs � Mel Dark Deer 5/25/02 |
