The Guilt of Wounded Knee Leonard Peltier in Prison Writings depicts the second battle at Wounded Knee, a day in October 1975 when two FBI agents were murdered.  Peltier, part of the American Indian Movement has been serving his two life sentences; however he maintains that he did not kill the agents, and much of the evidence points to his innocence. How ignorant of me: On the Arizona Reservation I thought the brown-skinned Family of ten I saw in that white station Wagon was Mexican.  They were Indian. North American, like me, but the real thing. They stared at me and I looked at The clay beneath my dusty feet. I knew what they were thinking (Or at least I thought I knew): "Gringa." And maybe they were, but it Probably was more like : "Watchishu" "White Man," evil one that brings about the sun dance, the dance of pain. I want to shout, "I didn't do anything!" But just as Peltier claims his guilt is for being Indian, So mine is for being white.  But I Never meant to take your land, I cry. I was born here. As if anyone has a choice of where they're born.  If I could sweep history up and roll it into A new clump of earth, a new world, I would gladly place it in your ancient Hands.  But still the fear I hold: that You would aim and throw it back. (c) Katherine M. Mercurio 2002 (C) Katherine M. Mercurio 2002
	Katherine M. Mercurio Is a distance learning instructor in poetry and creative writing.