fences
fences, built
to keep out,
no gates --
just fences
Camp Anna Mae, fenced
no Sundance here this year
Ruby Bikadee's Sweat lodge grounds, fenced
no gates --
just fences
Elders refused access
no prayer ceremonies
harassment, armed hopi rangers
constant surveillance
starve the people
blocked entrance
no support allowed through
no gates --
just fences
these rangers waiting,
armed hopi rangers
there at sunrise
armed rangers
waiting
no gates --
just fences
trespass on their lips
a favorite offense
one climbs the fence
the one at Camp Anna Mae
smudges, begins to pray
cacophony, the voices,
yelling at one not stopped
by the fences
no gates --
just fences
surrounding sacred sites
built to keep out
but they cannot stop the People
these resisters,
fighting to remain on
their land
no gates --
just fences
many hardships visited
drought, harassment, impoundment.
voices arise at Camp Anna Mae,
those heard at Sundance 2002
Grandmothers arrested
a night in jail
later acquitted
no gates --
just fences
an arrest of a youth
only recording the actions
of those who wrecked destruction
last year in August
the sacred tree met a
wood chipper
no gates --
just fences
Sundance brought here
for a wounded Mother Earth
still the BEAST continues
no Sundance here this year
but there is Sundance
quietly held somewhere
else
for the same reasons
as before
no gates --
just fences
many determined
no matter the obstacles
gathered together in one mindset
refusing to give in
to the pressure
prayers rising in the
desert sky
no gates --
just fences
prayers for the People, for the land
asking for healing, for balance to return
a call for direct action needed
from the resisters, the People,
as many are turned away
tribal members, the
press
the message to stay
away
no gates --
just fences
but the supporters are undeterred
for still they come
unafraid of the BEAST'S threats
the words of Grandmother
Roberta
ring in their ears,
throughout Big Mountain
no gates --
just fences
things only physical
cannot keep the spirits out
the fence nothing more than an obstacle
one accompanied with the BEAST'S workers
there to cause distress
harass the Elders
and the supporters
no gates --
just fences
arrests, pepper spray, surveillance, capped wells
unending problems brought by the BEAST
one that never sleeps
still the call for help goes
out
and the supporters answer
no gates --
just fences
armed hopi rangers still at sunset
the People continue still under siege
no gate --
just fences
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