The Chiska of the Swamplands

Every path you walk, a thousand souls have walked there before.
Every river you canoe, a thousand souls have paddled there before.
Do not think that because their children’s laughters are silent,
And the songs of the Beloved Men and Women can not be heard,
That their souls never loved this land.

This land of tree-covered swamps, prairies shaded by longleaf pines,
and deep streams running through black soil, shaded from the sun by
massive trees. Our ancestors loved this land.

When you abuse this land, they weep.
When you deceive or harm your fellow human, they mourn.
Ask them, and they will guide you through the storm.
They are the ancient roots that run through our souls.
And the grandmothers and grandfathers, who watch over our lives.

Richard L. Thornton  "Mountain Lion"                            

From  Ancient Roots III: The Indigenous People and Architecture of the the Ocmulgee-Altamaha River Basin     © 2007