WHITE WOMAN DOCENT is about beginning to be a Docent at Grinding Rock State Park, just fifteen minutes down the road from us...a good place, that The People themselves find conflicts of their lives within...there is never much rest in that remaining places of the Native Miwok, here in Upcountry....

WHITE WOMAN DOCENT

Upcountry is Home...
Live here with the Jays, tall Trees -
Whistle on this Wind...

Long before I'm here,
Folk were here grinding Acorn -
Left holes in black stones....

Elderberry here -
Make clappersticks click and clack!
Thud of woodearth Drum...

Death is here plenty -
Cold winter to each deep bone -
Spring clover revives...

Gather in these seeds -
Dig for bulbs, roots, earthy foods -
Pass on old ways - proud...

You have eyes unmet:
Your focus is far away -
It's as it should be...

Long ago, Gold came -
Long ago, miners came, too -
Took gold, earth, water...

Can't erase these scars -
Can't give back your life, old ways...
Can't breathe for your Dead...

Long after we leave,
Earth will not forget, forgive...
You will not forget...

Upcountry knew Life -
Knew no slaughter - knew good years -
You will not forgive...

Today, my fingers
Print out in words on paper -
Not onto black stone...

I prepare to tell
Your story of lives, of deaths -
Since you will not speak....

Forgive what I know -
Forget what I do not know...
Stories have their way:

Long after I'm gone
Long after even You leave:
Stories live Lives here!

Oak sings them - these Stones
Tell these stories without Fear...
Hope is here, is Here....



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