before white-mans' one-god religion

before white-mans' one-god religion
I was one with nature
knew each animal, stone and tree
to possess an independent spirit

before white-mans' one-god religion
there was a lore - the life of a man
for the life of a tree, and the belief,
when trees disappear, magic disappears

before white-mans' one-god religion
I knew my mother's name
and her mother before -
maternal ancestors back to time's
beginning I knew the family line

before white-mans' one-god religion
my ancestral mothers were healer women
queens of the tribe who ruled
with benevolence to keep a balance of unity

before white-mans' one-god religion
I looked down the line of mothers
saw a strain of anarchy prevailed
women who refused to put heir minds to war

before white-mans' one-god religion
women knew war to be
an utterly useless occupation
before white-mans' one-god religion
we were one with all nature




Pamela Sidney 1999