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Autumn Leaves

volume 2 number 6

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The Beothuks

by Sondra Ball

Where are the seal harpooners?
the salmon netters?
the shellfish takers?

Gone —
murdered on sandy shores.

Where are the face painters?
the skin painters?
the house painters?

Gone —
murdered under pine trees.

Where are the hut builders?
the basket weavers?
the canoe carvers?

Gone —
murdered beside large rocks.

Mohawk, Shinnecock, Seneca,
remember them,
speak of them:

the old people —
fallen —
murdered on sandy shores.

Cree, Klingit, Kiowa,
remember them,
speak of them:

the newly weds —
fallen —
murdered under pine trees.

Hopi, Cheyenne, Crow,
remember them,
speak of them:

the babies —
fallen —
murdered beside large rocks.

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