Native American Literature

First American Literature: Native Americans

Tears of the Forest

By: Lori Mellott

"As I slowly walk in this warm-blooded, vibrant, lush ,green forest fragrant with the scents of cedar, pine and a plethora of flowers all lovingly kissing me, I inhale the pungent, pleasing scent of earth enfolding me in Mother Earth's loving embrace. All that surrounds me pulsates and ripples with the melodious rhythms of life.

As I strip and stand contemplatively in the midst of this unending beauty, my senses pause, absorbing the exotic, erotic, beauty of it all. Hugging sister cedar tree I feel her heartbeat bursting with rich, robust life! She is strong and happy! Gazing at her I see her uncompromising strength, her magnificent size speaks to my soul telling me she has stood sentinel here for many, many moons

Listening to all her voices, I hear my feathered relations singing and nesting, bringing new life forth from the safety of her luxuriant hair. Her sweet, gently spirit speaks to my soul of spiritual freedom and honoring of the spirits. "Protect and treasure it" are the words and feelings flowing into my soul

Breathing deeply of the acoustically scented air, the sacred cedar's breath calms, cleanses, blesses and bolsters my spirit, giving me clarity of thought and renews my inner being. Contentment and connection flow within my spirit. All is walking in beauty

The harmony and tranquillity of this sacred, honored place is suddenly shattered by the horrific, thoughtless intrusion of modern technology! An ominous sound echoes throughout this sacred haven, a sound that promises death! a chainsaw! Big. Loud. Deadly. It is here to keep its deviant promise Its mechanical teeth, honed to razor sharpness glint in father suns brilliant light, flashing its message of death to all Mother's children. The mechanical blood of this steel demon drips silently onto the ground below polluting all it touches, finding yet another way to kill

The human force guiding this instrument of death's construction tightens its ghastly white grip and stands in front of my beloved and beautiful sister with grinning anticipation. It cannot wait to destroy this Mothers child!"

Diary: It pains me deeply to see my home, my friends from nature, my spirit guides, to be destroyed so callously. I feel their pain and sorrow, and I weep for their plight. How could someone be so cruel. These creatures have stood for so long and have gained so much knowledge that it is a grievous crime to kill them so quickly and without thought. Mother earth suffers as her children kill each other off. She wishes her children to live in harmony, but the white man seems to think himself superior. They need to take the time to feel the aura of life around the gnarled trunk, to hear the beautiful songs that the spirits sing as the wind whistles through the branches. Maybe if they took the chance to understand our ancient brothers and sisters they may not be so apt to kill them off so carelessly.

Reflection: This poem to me encompasses many different aspects of Indian culture. It discusses the unique connection that they share with the earth. The author uses strong language that helps you to understand exactly why such simple aspects of nature, that most people today take for granted, are so coveted in the minds of the Indians. This poem also fills me with disgust towards my white ancestors who fail to take seriously the importants of nature and how fragile it is. I feel ashamed that my ancestors were so careless and destructive when they callously took over North American lands.
http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/poems1.html#whathave