Published Monday, April 12, 2004
THE WAY OF THE ANCESTORS
A Poem Inspired By the Alumni of Color Conference
By Lolita Paiewonsky
APPIAN STAFF WRITER

“Look back at how it was
with those who came before, look forward
how it will be with those who come hereafter.”
Ca 900 B.C., Vedic Upanishads, Wisdom of the Forest

A Poet’s words
stand, an ancient archway.

Follow the way of the words to the river.
There, drink.

Follow the whirling winds of the words
to the altar of veneration,
Veneration for the ancestors.
There, offer prayer-thoughts that rise to heaven
and return to the earth, mixed and mingled.

Walk again in their footsteps
Follow the paths their feet trod
Feel their breaths, heavy on your neck.
Sit in the ancient circle,
Blood memories
taking shape behind the eyes of
strife, behind the eyes of triumph, the
lessons of warriors and chieftains.

Live the memories
Flowing
Changing
Transfusing
from ancestors’ blood
to ours . . . mine . . . one . . . ALL.

Come full circle.
Hail brothers on common ground.
Unhostile ground
Welcoming
Sacred
Hallowed.

Emerge at the clearing,
purged
renewed
born again.

Lolita Paiewonsky is a member of the Appian Board of Editors.