November 26, 2020, Plano-
The prairie sings of those
who once walked among its grasses,
both short and tall.
The Spaniards came, one day,
and brought horses.
The People learned to ride
and their world changed.
The forests sing of those
who cleared useful paths
among their fastnesses,
cultivated plants, grew herbs
and managed the moose and deer.
The French and English came
and bought furs.
The People learned to trade
and their world changed.
Yhe deserts sing
of those who learned to grow
maize, squash and chilis,
by building irrigation canals
and by dry farming.
The Spanish came here, too,
seeking gold and silver.
The People learned to delude
and their world changed.
The People were here,
long before wars,
religious conflict
and pestilence
brought others from Europe,
as natural calamities,
wars and pestilence
had sent them
here, from three directions,
millennia before.
Now, the People are still here.
Nothing can destroy those
whose hearts and souls
are rooted in Mother Earth,
who sings of all her children.
I hope one and all had a Happy Thanksgiving, as the three of us had.It was non-traditional, as we grilled chicken sausages and carne asada on a gas grill outside, in Plano Home’s outside pavilion. The dessert was chocolate pecan pie. It was as close to the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner as the original meal probably was- with its menu of oysters and clams, squab, pheasant, maize and fiddlehead greens. It was unlikely that any turkey with dressing was served, nor was there any pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving, then as now, is a festival of the heart.
Change happens either willingly or unwillingly. With change we can sing a dirge or a song of thanksgiving. I prefer a happy song and viewing change as opportunity. (an optimist’s POV)
LikeLike
Change has, for the most part, brought me joy, even initially. This year’s changes led me to look harder for the silver linings. They’re there.
LikeLike