Takelma
The Takelma (also Dagelma) are a Native American people who originally lived in the Rogue Valley of interior southwest Oregon, with most of their villages sited along the Rogue River. The name Takelma means "(Those) Along the River".
History
Much less is known about the lifeways of the Takelma Indians than about their neighbors in other parts of Oregon and northern California. Their homeland was settled by Euroamericans late in the history of the American Frontier, because the surrounding mountainous country protected it. But once colonization began, it proceeded rapidly. The discovery of gold spurred the first white settlement of the region in 1852. The Takelma who survived were sent to reservations in 1856. Settlers and natives lived in the region together for less than four years.
Because Takelma territory included the most agriculturally attractive part of the Rogue Valley, particularly along the Rogue River itself, their valuable land was preferentially seized and settled by Euroamerican invaders in the mid-19th century. Almost without exception, these newcomers had little or no interest in learning about their indigenous neighbors, and they considered them a dangerous nuisance. They recorded little about the Takelma, beyond documenting their own perspective on conflicts. Native Americans living near the Takelma but on more marginal and rugged land, such as the Shastan and Rogue River Athabascan peoples, survived the colonization period with their cultures and languages more intact.
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by Declaime
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by Daecolm
Dearest Desiree
by: DeclaimeFrom that night when you came
Pacing back and forth in the rain
Couldn't maintain
A young man trying to make a way
But was forced to stay away
When you touched Earth
On that special night of your birth
Please, accept my apology Desiree
I was in boot camp baby, US Navy
Yeah I sold out for a minute
'Cause life I just couldn't win it
And I ask my lieutenant
Please, let me witness my first
Don't let me miss part of being
Co-creator of heaven's work
All about you
Don't weary Desi, I got you
Never, forgot about you
Always in my thoughts, always in my prayers
Sometimes life just ain't fair
Beatiful Desiree
Dear Desiree
The letters I sent you they came back
The gold chain I got you came back
Why's your momma actin like that
Kept us at a distance
Missing you on Christmas
Darling Desiree, I know that one day
We will have a laugh, share a cry
One day before I die
Sometimes two people just can't get along
Me and your mom fought all night long
And every day
A stressful way
To live life
So I did what I thought was right
Yeah I skipped out
Packed up my things as if I didn't care about
This life that I helped to bring out
In this world
Either that, or spend time in jail
Domestic violence, this life's a hell
An empty shell
But love will prevail
Love child Desiree
Your heart, has to be empty too
You gotta feel the love I have for you
Dear daughter Desiree
Did you know I named you
You're my wish come true
I love you
Baby, understand
Music is how I stand
How I preach, reach and teach
Touch each and every soul
Without it I'm cold
Without it I grow old
And stand still
Never know my true will
Which is to speak the word
Of the Divine spark of light
In the name of?
Desiree
You know you got a brother now
Eyes and smile like mine, like ours
My love grows more
As time grows more
As life grows more
Dearest daughter Desiree
Love always
Daddy