Education

UNSETTLED SOIL

The ancient ones traveled thru their time of life –

A time spared from the nonsense of strife.

They lived in harmony with all things – animal, rock and tree.

They shared the land, water and air – peaceful and free.

When their journey was completed and they crossed to the other side,

Their ponies were set free – no longer to ride.

The mound of ceremonial clay in its circle, symbol of life complete,

Our beloved Elders long rested beneath a generation of dancing feet.

Then came the time of “Discovery” when our land was “found.”

Others suspected what our people knew – that our home land was “round.”

They unknowingly landed on these shores –

Greeted by a heathen savage.

We shared a full measure of food – a part of our bounty of wealth.

Their Christian response was to violate, kill and ravage.

Time under these masses that never stopped coming

has raped our Earth Mother so pure.

She fought to survive, her children to nurture, for all she must endure.

Now these learned of present-day time

are not finished “discovering” our way of life.

They are now sifting the soil where our Beloved Ones lay,

Collecting their bones and a few pots of clay.

My spiritual soul is crying, so furious, saddened and sick.

What next after our graves are sieved?

Wake up you students of mankind, forget the middens and our tombs.

Our treasures come from our hand and mind

and from our Mother Earth's womb.

We have given our knowledge of planting and harvesting

Nature’s offer – food, medicine and creation.

A wealth more precious than gold is the treasure in our coffer.

Please let the soil settle on the Ancient Ones’ last bed.

I’d say you’ve done enough collecting –

why not learn what’s in our heads?

This world still exists because our Indian Spirit stood guard.

Let’s not get lost in history, they said.

Our Mother’s in trouble of being laid to waste,

Evil in men and greed must be quenched.

It’s today’s warriors that must take up the fight before the Indian’s way is fenced.

Stand up Sisters and Brothers and let your voice have sound.

Join together for the love of our ways while the old path can be found.

My plea is to return our Loved Ones to rest and pack the soil to stay.

Place yourself in our hearts filled with quiet

and pray your loved ones never go this way.

We are to be remembered by what we say and do in this life.

Peace, love and harmony is the direction that frees us from strife.

Remember the Old Path and follow.