HIDDEN THINGS!

She did not stop to think,
as joy lifted her feet like wings
across that field she flew,
arms wide, apron flying in the wind.

Her laughter bubbling into the air,
exploding clouds of birds:
never looking left, or right,
afraid to take her eyes from that sight.

So many, changes had come to their People,
this war was just one more
so many choices had been forced on us,
fighting for the South was another.

They knew, they would soon be moving
there were no choices left, none given
six long years, he had fought their battles:
of seven brothers, five were left standing.

The best, of the families horses had been hidden
kept as secret as the caves, left by grandmother
watched over by the women, saved for this moment
we had saved much more, but this was most important.

For a while the family must scatter, for safety
the lands, would be bought by a friend that was trusted
put into trust, to be returned when things are settled
so many plans are laid, for a better future.

Jourdan, John’s grandfather says; all will be well
the white man thinks us stupid, and too lazy to work
he does not understand why, we will not over use the lands
or cut down all the trees, and dam up all the waters.

One day, the lands, will all be returned to our Peoples
so that we may heal them, return them to the beauty we see
on that day, like today, we must be ready, have a plan
so that our grandchildren will be ready to move as well.

Today, she only wanted to laugh, hold him close, touch his face
believe that finally he was home, in her arms where he belonged
as her hair tumbled around them, in a warm soft living mess
his own laughter joined her own, as he gently brushed it away.

Yes, many changes were brought by that War Between the States
and many more, were soon to follow, but for the Aniyunwiyv
they were devastating, unbelievable to most thinking humans
a continuing genocide, called “Indian Wars”, but really slaughters.

But for a few, there were moments of joy, seconds of love
precious times when families came together, to plan
to hide their “secrets”, their Sacred Things, sometimes
that meant their very blood lines, and some of those, are hidden still!

©Copyright November 25, 2009 by Sheila Williams ~ Singing Cloud