Natalie Dana

Rooted Beings

Living, dying, quietly I sit here

recording these silent lives in my memory.

Few pay attention

leaving these rooted beings to themselves.

These ancient ones stand proudly

listening to and watching the world around them.

I wish I could see through their eyes

see how the world has changed.

I see them unchanged, unconcerned with the world of man

as they dance to the sound of music only they can hear.

They are always dancing

swaying from side to side.

If you sit quietly you can hear them

whispering to each other.

Whispering silently

it is the sound of rustling leaves to our ears.

The feeling of them evokes

what it is like to touch ancientness

As they are living and dying

I sit here quietly.

Machias Bay Petroglyphs

I wonder . . . I wonder

Will things ever change?

As time slowly rips away

I wonder . . .I wonder

As the water tears away chunks of stone

slowly changing. . .rapidly changing

I wonder . . .I wonder

As I look upon this stone

How long will these stay here?

I wonder . . .I wonder

As the hunter listens for game

Mother giving birth, what will I see?

I wonder . . .I wonder

As Aputumken slithers on the surface

and Thunderbird spreads his wings

I wonder . . .I wonder

As the little people are dancing

What will I leave the wonakomehsis today?

I wonder . . .I wonder

Moose, deer, people etched upon this stone

What has been lost?

I wonder . . .I wonder

About this magical place

This place that is born from our way of life.

Natalie Dana is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township, Maine. Click here for more info: Natalie's Bio