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As a man that has experienced the disappointment of friends vanishing before
one's eyes as they take you off to "do your time", I know what Leonard sees
daily.
I have been there.
This is for Leonard, it is a poem I wrote in the Chain Gang in NC in 1972.
It was printed in Awesasne Notes that summer.
"Look yonder and see
with eyes long unused
a new old nation
which has been there all along
even though yu hav'nt
listen n hear with ears long unused
the wailing of honored ancesters
voices
Or is it only the wind
sacred songs now sung
at dances and shows
hear the jingle of $s
feel with emotions long forgotten
damp tears of honored ancesters
fall in the rain....or
do you only feel bad wiskey
burn yur insides
do you wonder what the tears are for?
a new old nation moves
towards those who are worthy
Udohiyu
(it is certain)
Awaninsgi (It is finished)
©Wahya (Wolfe) Tsalagi."
