the other brother

Sometimes when i get tired or need a rest I find a bench to sit on and
take it easy, except when I do I have to share it with my brother. I did
not want him to be there all the time with me, but he is the unwanted
brother I have had all my life. No matter where I go or what I do he is
there, somehow getting involved with my life when I go home.
I didn't ask for him to be there, he is just there alway telling me what
to do or how to do it, or to try this and that. He has a special name
for me and many times he will do things that affect me without me having
a word to say.

I am tired and sitting on this bench with him, he rubs me the wrong way,
his big body is there pushing me off the bench, it is always has been. I
have tried to talk to him, but he looks at me like I understand you, and
no matter what you say I know what is best for you. The only way to deal
with him is not to go home, to leave it forever, but even then from time
to time he reaches out to me for this and that.


If I go home he is there, even when he is not close, his presence is
felt in everything. I want to be free, to make my own decisions, to live
and go about my life in my home and to deal with my life without his
interference. He stands there and at times he seems to care, but mostly
he doesn't really know anything about what I am about but makes it his
business.


He was there when I was born, when I went to school, when I went to the
store, when I went to get help in dealing with land problems, to build a
home, to take care of livestock and in just going about my land. He has
rules and regulations he makes up just for me. I do not have a normal
life and have never known what it is to be given true freedom, the use
of the Bill of Rights in conjunction with my own name, my birthright and
my land. He stands not too far off looking at me with indifference. Oh,
I wish to be rid of him, but others would find some other monster to
bother me still. Go away, leave me alone, let me be a man, a human
being. take your responsibility elsewhere, because there is no trust
between us. Go away BIA, go away bureaucrats, you are not a good
brother and I am tired of you.


rustywire



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