chasing_silver

Indigenous is just a word they use to describe us.
Politically correct and full of heavy condescension
They can't pronounce our true names; but
Regardless, they feel proud they've given us a name that isn't derogatory.
That's enough, right?

Indigenous means feathers and sage and pow-wows
They expect us to have absorbed the culture by osmosis.
My tongue keeps twisting around the words
My grandfather spoke in his baby voice; but in adulthood
Deliberately forgotten.

Indigenous means we're unfairly and ridiculously angry.
We want things that should have been packed away long ago
History isn't part of their responsibility.
I wonder at this extraordinary ability to completely close your eyes
And ignore that history is relived, day after day.

Indigenous means part of a nation of people.
Our tears taste of sorrow and joy concurrently.
We slowly and surely plumb the depths and graves of our buried traditions
And bring them back to the light.
It is sacred, and it is the hardest work I've ever done.

Indigenous means we live among you.
It's not just about anger, it's about truth.
The damage runs deep, but we pave a way forward
And work to reconcile.
Forgiveness and love is all we have.

Indigenous means me, and it means you.
Because to be part of a nation means to be part of the world.

This has been an entry for therealljidol. This week, the writing prompt was "Someone who will love you in all your damaged glory". Thank you for reading and voting!