A Native American’s Request from Death.
2004
Vaughn L. Brown
Here upon the stump rest my wary bones.
My memories are written in the soil;
If you dare wipe away the words of wisdom, you shall regret it.
I mean you no harm by sharing my memories; yet you feel pain.
Do not take to heart what I say:
Let it settle in your mind. It is not my mind that pours such words-
But what comes from my love and freedom of thought.
Standing in a stream of experience and knowledge, I welcome you into my home.
Over beyonder that hill is where my tribes once stood.
Take my hand, as rough as it might be: let me escort you to my grave.
It is not a grave of grief and sorrow as you might deem: but my happy home.
Wander the deserts and plains of my people. Sense what was lost here.
I ask you to do one thing for me and only one thing:
Take my bones and bury them. |