The Painted People

In my cells there is a memory…  
of a time way back in history  
when my people were warriors...  

...formidable...  
in their fury and their  
need …  
to be freed from fear of bondage  
 
...to pay homage to no man…  
 
Caesar fought to overcome them  
but he won only the battle  
When they played the final act he'd lost the war...  
 
For in the end the Roman Empire  
could not oppress the Painted People…  
As stated in our history and lore…  
 
As we faded into mystery...they disappeared from history.  
And left us only place names and their art to show the world...  
...they had been here long before...  
 
They had lived as one with Nature...  
since the sacred forest birthed them...  
now they've gone to be with Mother evermore...