Contemplating the 1868 Sioux Treaty on Thanksgiving 2016

[Shepherd]

Contemplating the Sioux Treaty of 1868 at Thanksgiving 2016
for the Standing Rock Sioux and allies protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline set to run through their tribal lands


Countrymen, we have renegged on agreements,
retreated from treaties.
Now we try cheating on physics
which insists: seawaters will rise, coastlines
dissolve, ice caps melt.

At my safe distance, I conjure
the young, the native, the brave
whose faith the path of the pipeline dishonors.
Whose lakes and rivers we may foul.

The protesters brace for water cannons in 20 degrees.
Still, on behalf of us all, they stare down monster storms,
tear gas in their eyes.
Safe at my supper,
I send them this message of thanks.

- Phyllis Meshulam