Beyond our Grandmothers protection  #idle no more



my sister sitting in your home
with fear at the back of your eyes.
Look up, look out, look beyond
the shadow of his presence.
Days have come and past 
where pain has been your lover.
The husbandman has erred,
In his promise to love and protect.

Tribesmen, walking the streets of town
eyes glazed over to the wrongs around you.
look up, look out, look beyond
the haze of your denial.
Time to act is now
No longer can we keep pretending.
Our women are hurting
Their cries are known to our creator.

little ones, sitting in your home
with tears and confusion at what you see.
Look up, look out, look beyond
there is hope and light.
A hand to hold you
Can be found in your community.
In Tipi's we pray
For these little ones we must 'do'.


Councilmen, sitting in our tribal halls
when you speak of our peoples many needs.
Look up, look out, look beyond
your inability to take action.
The welfare of our women
affects the future of our people.
The cries of their pain
holds down the neck of our future.


Statesmen, standing with your polished smile
glancing over your electorates, rooks on a board.
Look up, look out, look beyond
your diffidence towards these crimes.
Behind your block and gavel
you pass edict with cold eyes.
our women sit like ghosts
broken down by pain, fragments of themselves.

my sister sitting in your home
with fear at the back of your eyes.
Look up, look out, look beyond
the grip of his lies.
A daughter of our creator
You were meant for more than this.
Shame and silence has ended
You are much stronger than you think.
©Tda-gko-ah-awgya.

Grandmother Alice Poorman Paddlety Toyebo