Ayali

imagine
being so driven
so desperate
using almost anything
money, liquor, guns, and lies
to take land from people
who'd been here for over 500 years.

imagine
new people
occupying that land
five six seven ten generations
slowly learning what
money, liquor, guns and lies
will buy

and now we
after a half-life in these hills
still under the influence
know almost nothing
of the first people who
laughed and sang here
not so long ago
almost nothing
of their sacred ways and stories
or their word for the mystery

Do you even know how to say goodbye in their language?