Shackamaxon
Sacred ground of my ancestors
hot Memorial Day in Philadelphia
on the bank of Lënapei Sipu ~ the Delaware River
the park full of life in the sun
families out together, speaking Spanish,
bopping to the merengue beat
Where the Great Elm once stood
now stands a stone
amidst uncounted memories
and the ancient life of this land
Nuhëmak manëtuwàk!
Grandmother spirits!
Throw pinches of tobacco
to the four directions
stand absorbed in prayer
the crowd's noises fade
Nëmuxumsak manëtuwàk!
Grandfather spirits!
I am there with them
they are there with me
holding me
strengthening my spirit
my tears streaming down as a
tributary of the Delaware
Kuxwisuwa ta ni.
I am your granddaughter.
The land will never forget
its Lenape children
and they never forget the land
whose true name is Lenapehoking
Ndàpi. Këmëshalëlhumo.
I am here. I remember you.
And they welcome me warmly
as we meet across time and its dark veils
in Sakimaksink ~ the place of the chiefs
where the spirits never perish
the sacred meeting ground
holding one more sacred meeting-
of remembrance.
Ancestors holding my spirit,
I love you.
Philadelphia, May 30, 2011
hot Memorial Day in Philadelphia
on the bank of Lënapei Sipu ~ the Delaware River
the park full of life in the sun
families out together, speaking Spanish,
bopping to the merengue beat
Where the Great Elm once stood
now stands a stone
amidst uncounted memories
and the ancient life of this land
Nuhëmak manëtuwàk!
Grandmother spirits!
Throw pinches of tobacco
to the four directions
stand absorbed in prayer
the crowd's noises fade
Nëmuxumsak manëtuwàk!
Grandfather spirits!
I am there with them
they are there with me
holding me
strengthening my spirit
my tears streaming down as a
tributary of the Delaware
Kuxwisuwa ta ni.
I am your granddaughter.
The land will never forget
its Lenape children
and they never forget the land
whose true name is Lenapehoking
Ndàpi. Këmëshalëlhumo.
I am here. I remember you.
And they welcome me warmly
as we meet across time and its dark veils
in Sakimaksink ~ the place of the chiefs
where the spirits never perish
the sacred meeting ground
holding one more sacred meeting-
of remembrance.
Ancestors holding my spirit,
I love you.
Philadelphia, May 30, 2011