The beat of ancient drums
penetrates our souls and gives us life.
They beat the rhythm of prairie Sweet Grass,
which bows to the summer winds,
and is trampled by the buffalo,
telling of a life we once knew,
now gone forever.
They beat the path of the eagle,
majestic, powerful and free,
giving us strength and wisdom,
telling us to be strong and brave,
to look beyond our troubles,
to fly above our situations,
to hold strong to the ideals
of the freedom we once knew.
They beat the love of the Creator,
Who sustains us in our struggles,
and shows us the way,
comforting us when we are weary of living,
or wallowing in depression,
telling us there is an answer,
and showing us His many blessings,
that we sometimes cannot see
through the hurt and pain.
Beat the drums loudly,
so our people will know they are one,
with the same problems,
and the same vision.
Let us not forget our ways,
but let us celebrate our culture,
learn from our Elders,
be a strong and proud people,
teaching our children
with wisdom and grace.
Beat the drums for our children’s future,
that they will continue
to uphold the traditions of the Fathers,
and be proud of their heritage.
Beat the drums for all people,
of all nations,
with a prayer to the Great Spirit,
that we will learn to live in peace
and understanding,
showing tolerance and patience,
so our children will have a hopeful future,
and our ‘Old Ones’ will pass over in peace.
by David Ronald Bruce Pekrul

it is a shame,, that we came here originally seeking freedom from religious persecution,, and ended up being the great persecutors of the indians… i find their form of spirituality,, ever so much more godlike than i have ever found the white mans christianity…
Beautiful writing, Jodi.
Its like a prayer… and yet so simple!
Beautiful poem!
David, absolutely beautiful. A story of the first settlers of this land dispossed by those seeking justice and freedom from their own land by taking that of another.
Hey its absolutely beautiful writing..I like to hear this like a song through piano…