Karuk’s Leaf Hilman

We have crossed paths,

This man and me.

Of ancient blood given freely.

Of whole nation toiled but free.

This life of man is here to see.

Oh know old noble red/brown man,

Of all nations you are free.

This conquers past with fierce recital,

As your calmness gave life,

To your free ardor sought.

Our love has passed on the great river,

River sometimes quiet.

Of rumbling rocks moved miles in quiet thunder,

As man ignores,

The great Klamath moves through.

I passed this way on swiftness,

Thrust to give wings to my path.

As river man,

As mountain man,

As brave man pass.

I give praise to this valiant man,

Thrust into battle in a strange fight.

Of pens and verbal thwarts,

And pushing,

And shoving of bureaucrats in lawyer’s suits.

Whose battle you take to them,

As the same battle they took from you.

O warrior,

Of patience,

Of calm resolve.

Years pass in your battle,

And you fight on

Weapons now from guns and spears to,

And probing,

And pushing to limits.

To making new limits,

To making new ground.

To battling,

To have the valley of love,

With it’s history.

Roland James May 2001