Ghosts

Treaties that defined boundaries,
Language and religion assimilated.
Forced to adapt, and redefined gender roles.
Humiliation surfaced, overtaken by anger. 
Atrocities traded, and escalated to war. 
  
Bounties offered for Dakota scalps, 
Rape condoned, genocide encouraged.
Land taken and forsaken.  Even
White women gathered rocks,  
To stone those forced to march. 

Today, so many young men
From so many cultures
Disenfranchised, separated
From their heritage.  Joining
Gangs, becoming terrorists.

Does history repeat itself because
We are too short-sighted to see the
Parallels through time and cultures?
Dakota were hung, buried, then reburied 
And we wonder why ghosts do not rest.