Wild Americans

ALCATRAZ--This blog has gone wild, taken on a life of its own. It seems determined to speak in poetry, in many voices. But hey, this Wandering Naturalist is all about Life, and especially Wildlife, so I can support this trend. The following poem was given by Lorenzo, a Native American leader and member of the Black Wolf Society, on November 13, 2004, the 35th anniversary commemoration of the Indian Occupation of Alcatraz:

wild or domesticated
you choose to be
wild

like the scent
of burning
sweet grass, cedar and sage
wild
like the brown skin brothers
in the cage of a border patrol van

wild
like the saguaro cactus
who teaches natural respect
to ignorant people
that want to touch
without asking

wild
like the 19 hopi men from oraibi
imprisoned on alcatraz in 1895
as hostiles
for seditious conduct
for opposing forced
education and assimilation
and preferring home teaching

wild
like the five sioux warriors
that occupied alcatraz
in 1964 for four hours

wild or domesticated
you choose
and demonstrate
your wildness
at the institution
wildness
in the way you walk
wildness
in your eyes
as you greet
another wild one
wildness
in the way you return wild love

wild or domesticated
you choose
and maintain your wildness
wildness
in the way you move
to unheard music
wildness
in the words you choose

wild or domesticated
you choose

--lorenzo 11.13.04