——- Separate me from you, they could never do it You’re a part of me— Though you were ripped from me, I sought you fervently In my soul...I felt you I saw your beauty I saw your grace I heard your lulling chant deep within my throat I felt your call to dance A spirit-connected daughter of the land With braided hair, I glimpsed long passed ancestors With lift of chin, I witnessed the strength of Courage’s stare The height of a cheekbone The soul connection with Mama Earth My soul dwells here Separation by blade Separation by erasure theft of language theft of bodies and culture, You aimed to blot out my people’s history Lips oozing with fabricated tales of gore, They cloaked us as savages wrapped in mystery But the river told me a different story The hills sang a different tune The wind pushed me in a new direction The sun warmed me up to the truth I heard you dear ancestors I witnessed your power Moonchild, Reclaim your heritage These stories are yours These treasures passed on words we whisper into the wind Keep your heart listening in earnest We will speak in tongues they couldn’t sever For we are warriors, Forever resilient Forever one with the land ASL | 3.23.20 ——- . . . . #prncsslyssapoetry (at Manhattan, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PRXxOp8TI/?igshid=13peesa4q7y9t
