This land was given by the Holy Ones
to us a long time ago.
Canyon De Chelly is where our people journey
paying respect and drawing power.
The footprints of the Holy Ones
are still etched on sheer faced cliffs.
They taught my people how to live.
We have all things we need
between our Sacred Mountains.
Gifts from Mother Earth
and Father Sun.
All things are alive and have their place.
Now dirt in the skies threatens
Mother and Father.
They can no longer see each other clearly.
Big companies want to build more plants
to burn our coal and blacken our skies.
The tops of our hogans gather soot.
There are strange sicknesses.
I sit and think on these things.
Yes, I am getting old,
my legs don't work so good anymore,
but I will stand this day for
what is right.
My people must always walk in beauty.
Author notes
I can hear her voice clearly in my head, I hope through this you can as well. Imagine the inflections that the Navajo women use. This picture is definitely a Navajo woman, I have given her the voice of a Navajo woman that is now in our local news for standing up to the giant corporation that is trying to build a *third* power plant in our area. She took a stand and defied the workers to come on the land, and is still camping there with a small group to say "Dooda to Desert Rock"
Here is a link to a picture and article about her:
http://www.arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/12/53357.php
I would like to give the artist of the picture credit, if anyone can help with that I would appreciate it
A contest entry
- Native American Woman by Little Feather.
500 points, ended December 28, 2006, 17 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Persona Poems. by unmasked synergy.
1500 points, ended June 7, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
-
there is beauty and depth in this piece, bound with culture in a unique and powerful way.
the voice of your character phases from a promised strength, spiritually rooted origin to one of righteous fear and determination at the end,
thank you for entering
un.
-
Best poem I read today...
WOW! This is so beautiful and so wonderfully penned, like it flows from heart to pen and paper without any modifications or alterations...it is like the echo of the voice from its depth..it is touching and just so oh well, honest and fair like a child's innocent heart. I am curious to know what is the Canyon De Chelly in L3 in stanza 1. Can you please enlighten me on this. The contrast between the first half and the second half of the poem is quite startling and it is sad what modern man has down to native land. Wonderful use of assonance and alliteration in the poem. The last line is full of impact and ends the poem in an outstanding way. The imagery is vivid and very expressive.
It is great to read the author notes and see how you were inspired to write this poem.
Congratulations on the Gold trophy and all the best for the many good tidings and joys to follow.
Love,
Charishma -
This is a great story yu tell in these few lines, of a land and a people who are trying to protect it from more pollution. Lovely flow and such a wonderful picture to serve as inpsiration. Certainly a gold winner here for sure.
-
Thank you for entering my contest
Yes this is wonderful, I really like how you related to a now. I can really see this woman out there on the plains making her stand. You have done an excellent job on this and I appreciate the background information it lends itself nicely to the poem.
God Bless
Tammy -
-
Thank you so much LilFeatherCherokee! I really enjoyed writing this, the picture is fantastic. Thanks for hosting and I am honored to have won the gold with all the other great entries,
-
-
Yay for Lucy! Love this poem and love the article. It's great how you mentioned the hogan pictured here and also Canyon de Chelly, while delivering such a perfect message. Well done!
-
Very good
A strong write and lesson to be learned in your pen. I see your heart in this one. Wish I could help you with the art, I too am unfamiliar. I will check out the link attached as I am curious. Good write
~Tia
-
This was well written
this poem is well written and spoken the truths. this is the way our native tribes look at this world now. Thank you for writting this and I will go and look at the picture you saw. did you happen to see the other two that was also in here. they were my grandmother of my heart and soul. they taught my grandmother and she taught me the life of my hertiages. if you like stories/poems read my work.
Thank you and good luck
Morningstar 1948
Adding your comment:
1 - 8 of 8
