I took a vow this country to defend,

I raised my hand to walk with men.

Run fast, I was told, like a man,

Or go home as a failure, so I ran.

Shoot like a man, unafraid to kill,

This too, became my primary skill.

Learn not to follow, but to lead.

Over the years I lived this creed.

The time came to go to war.

It was my decisions that my men bore.

My mistakes that could cost their lives.

My short-comings that could not hide …

How I thank God that none of them died.

On the battlefield I wore no dress.

I fought like a man, none the less.

When I came home I watched others bask in the light.

I stood back and told myself, that was all right.

I was asked to come forward in the circle and represent

In gifted Men's regalia that the women resent.

I danced in honor of comrades who never came home.

I danced to be rid of nightmares the haunt me when I am alone.

Then I came back to Comanche land.

I was told to go back in Grand Entry to where women are to stand.

No matter that I had more time in than the rest,

no matter that they had only made E-4 AT BEST.

They took away my feathers, leggings, and soul.

All the things I'd earned swept aside into a dark deep hole.

Three combat zones I walked in with pride,

Seventy-two men I led in and not one died.

I took a vow this country to defend,

I raised my hand to walk with men.

Run fast, I was told, like a man,

Or go home as a failure, so I ran.

Shoot like a man, unafraid to kill,

This too, became my primary skill.

But now I am told, 22 years later, that I am not to lead.

Follow your man two steps behind is our creed.

I was good enough for you people to stand on the front lines,

but now that I am home you want to wipe out my whole life.

All of the things that I worked so hard for.

Strip them off and leave the ribbons at the door.

When you come here you will wear a dress,

we don't care if we leave you with nothing and your life is a mess.

Dance at the back, you're no better than the rest.

copyright 2006