for Bears Ears National Monument
We’re not losing the birch trees, the birch trees are losing us
                                 —Wayne “Minogiizhig” Valliere

The songs and stories that formed us are restless 
and need a place to live in the world of our grandchildren.
They are weary with waiting.

Earth continues to dream her earth dreams
Though desperate thoughts fed by money hunger roam our mines.

To the destroyers, Earth is not a person.

They will want more until there is no more to steal.

Earth who does not know time is patient.
The destroyers will destroy themselves.

So many earth spirits take care of this place. They emerge 
     from the cliff walls.
They emerge from the waves of waters.

Our ancestors are not only human ancestors.
What do you see when you fly to the top of the ancestor tree?

Let there be no regrets, no sadness, no anger, no acts of 
     disturbance to these lands.