Bizhi ba, warrior gir
born into the neck
of the full harvest,
Bizhi ba
took deep breath -
autumn's early chill filled
her lungs.
ripened green melons scattereed
horizon west. corn
stalk leaves
motioned the dawning sun
to rise,
rise, rise.
baby girl at first cry
held her matriarch's hand
strong fingers full of
ancient
winters.
strong grip
that praised the day the brown
glistening infant girl
crossed the hold desert lands
to this
fifth world.
poem by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
