The Cicadas Fell

before I started to write you

their shell a carbon offering to 500 years of silence

a genocide almost complete

so colonial children get Thanksgiving

taught as friendship with people they call extinct

The eagle used as false prophecy knows all

saw all, sees all, tells all

rapid-flight, Midlothian

fall into Powhatan again.

Bridging, we bend to see osprey at a man-made reservoir

There are shells from new mussels of old villages under

water memory, we bow to you, mourning dove

release from your place of slumber.

Cull more from my heart, tap root, native fruit

Feed from my tears

release Christian fears

from these lands and creeks.

Spring back, ever-green

ban petrochemicals, balance at the edge of tribelettes, tributaries

Reparations, Land Back, land beneath, pour out

our arms carry herbs, melt guns

Melt your heart, bless your heart

police officer repair, balance

budget post-national equity spectrum

you, me, all, we, ever-melding, different, complete.

I pray us queer biracial relatives

Bring hard lines to soft surrender into rembrance-joy.

Before Mother-Wound father sky and Pachamama

built channels of trust.

Alone they perish; together we won’t suffer or fall

cross spells into circles

kneel, head to soil

Let this healing commence

Breathe life into a fire both ancient and new

ivy-off, dear, boulder-cooling

the Sun Empire retooling

care technologies renewing, improving

Us into gifts beyond gold

us in receiving, becoming bold

in soul, in chorus we grind the leaves as we press the fruit

surrender, all, into brew of fog

Considerations of multiple, not few

I stay on the rock, undoing blue

You meet me at green beneath the veils unseen

holding braids between us

Light the ember, pouring truth. Unlocking them over you

bowing, below, sighing so deep.

Often wandering into catching my breath, falling asleep.

Rest, deer. You are loved by all creation.