For some it’s a Day of Thanks
And for some a Day to Mourn
With those conflicting stories
Of how Thanksgiving was born.

Some say a friendly gathering

Of Pilgrims and the Indians
People from a far off Land
And the real Americans.

We may never know for sure
The true account of History

But there are no doubts today
Of what has come to be.

The Native’s rights were taken
And, “Land of the Free” became a lie

Reservations became a prison
Where the “Red Man” was sent to die.

Treaties were written and broken
And still are until this day
Especially when the Indian
Might get in the White Man’s way.

So now some gather ‘round a figure
Overlooking Plymouth Rock
At a statue of Massasoit

Where the Wampanoag can talk.

Of a “National Day Of Mourning”
For an unrecognized Nation
How that could happen to a People
Boggles the imagination.

But, maybe someday in the future
There will be a true Thanksgiving Day

And one more wrong will be righted
For isn’t that, “The American Way”?

~*~

Del “Abe” Jones © 2005