Two Poems

!!!!!CRINGE WARNING!!!!!

The first poem I wrote is about Junior. Junior is an indian who lives on the reservation and has a life that evolves from good to bad. Junior is a leader because he goes choose his own path.

I am from the tv, the dirty house, and the empty refrigerator

I am from the rez, where nothing ever happens

I am from getting beaten up hundreds of times

I am from Hitchhiking home

From leaving the rez

I am from Mary, Grandma, and Rowdy

I am from staying the same

From going nowhere

I am from playing basketball,

Trying my best to win the game

I am from guilt fear and grief

I am from all the people I ever loved

I am from the rez, and its people.

The second poem I wrote is about Mr. P, a teacher. Mr. P was very about getting rid of indian culture when he was young, now as an old man he sees his mistakes. Mr. P was a leader when he was working to make indians less indian.

I am from classrooms and students

From the tv and the armchair

I am from the rez

From the middle of nowhere

I am from “Kill the Indian, save the child”

From Failure, Shame, and Stupidity

I am from students who start to try

and then give up

I am from wishing for things 

from doing nothing

I am from a faint glimmer of hope

For somebody not to give up

For someone to try

I am from hope