paiute

a salute to whom we concern
make up these grains
these sands
these times
rest in strength
upon this ancient
land.

we do
not know
history fully
oh, numa,
the paiute who
have shared
this valley
ancient.
sacred. we
must wake.

we
must
wake.

to the grounds
our ancestors
have taken.

and ask for
forgiveness so
soon we can
experience the
water again.

these coyote’s
children living in
water’s ditch
we must never
ever, ever forget.

forgive us.
forgive them.
let’s move forward
in ancient
seabed.

#Payahuunadü
#landoftheflowingwater