Monday, October 10, 2016

On the Essence of Culture

A single gene mutation marks each Native
American--it's not enough to make
An essence, a collective soul--and no
More are their cultures something we can take

As constant and essential--they must change
If they will live, like every living thing--
They have a soul, but like each living breath
You cannot steal the wind, but only sing.

The eagle feather is not theirs--coyote
Is not the only trickster dueling rules--
And men emerged from earth onto the earth
A thousand times, ignored by only fools--

One bangs a drum--technology much older
Than all of humankind--with dreadlocks worn
By ancient Greeks and Aztec warriors both--
The ignorant deserve eternal scorn.

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