I'm not a poet, and I'm not creative - but I do have some creative friends. A native friend of mine (Comanche) wrote the following poem in response to the current HBO film "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." Many non-natives don't understand the anger brought about by this film. I think my friend's poem explains it fairly well. It's an angry poem, so don't read it if it will cause you too much pain. But if you're up to it, he'd appreciate having his voice be heard.
"Bury My Heart In Hollywood"
Bury my heart in Hollywood
You had one last chance to make it good
It's a damn disgrace
The way you're still portraying the Indian race
Neglecting the truth to cash in your lies
Around the fort casting calls establishing alibis
It's the same old adage,
History held hostage
Cowboys and Indians again and again
Silver screen white wash to edit your sins
Way past time to tell the truth like you should
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Bury my heart in Hollywood
History, everyone knows
Means nothing as long as the green dollar grows
As long as the cash stream flows
Fear and fantasy keeps the story from being told
Damn this show is getting old
Hollywood, one last time you've sold
Our History short like I knew you would
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Somebody call up Sam; tell him they went with the old Plan
Apologies mean nothing when you lie to a man
Well welcome back Mr. John Ford
Still Searching for the right lies to win your next award?
This Script rewrite of History
Trying to finish the work of the 7th Cavalry
Cookie cutter cut out Indians
Playing along in high-definition westerns
Backdrops for your master plan
Manifest destiny on the Pan and Scan
Way past time to tell the truth like you could
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Bury my heart in Hollywood
History, everybody knows
Means nothing as long as the green dollar grows
As long as the cash stream flows
Fear and fantasy keeps the story from being told
Damn this show is getting old
Hollywood, one last time you've sold
My people out like I knew you would
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Well hell, Sheridan's back working the ropes
Killing off Indians on Cinemascope
Only History class you ever took
Was the one written in a Hollywood checkbook
Hi Definition Cable line reality
One more rope hanging our identity
Indians fighting more and more
To shut that Hollywood door
Crying out for historical authenticity
To finally kill your blockbuster atrocity
Way past time to tell the truth like you could
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Bury my heart in Hollywood
History, everybody knows
Means nothing as long as the green dollar grows
As long as the cash stream flows
Fear and fantasy keeps the story from being told
Damn this **** is getting old
Hollywood, one last time you've sold
Our lives out like I knew you would
Bury my heart in Hollywood
The final wrap, last curtain call
You have no more Indians at all
Make your last bet
We're not walking into your sunset
Bury my heart in Hollywood
Bury my heart
Bury me
Hollywood
End of our trail?
Nah, End of your trailer…
Spoken:
…PE was right…someone needs to set your *** on fire tonight.
Copyright © 2007 G. Dravin Tieyah and Contrary Indians Creations