NODAPL

Infinite events can happen in one year

A world war could break out

A baby could be born

A heart could break

Or a tragic event like NODAPL could ignite a newfound love for Native American empowerment

There is no word or phrase in the Native American language for “owning land”

People are meant to take care of Mother Earth

In return, she provides for us

To see many of my people getting beat like animals

And mace like rapists

And hosed down like a strong fire 

For standing up for mother earth

It is terrifying

Terrifying for the residents that will live with undrinkable water

For the sacred tribal sites that will get buried up

For the human beings who will die shielding this evil

But not for the pride of Native Americans

See we will continue standing together

For mother earth and for what’s right

Our skin can be broken, but not our souls or our mindsets

I have walked into this year changed

A year ago I felt safe

Today I am guarded

Today I pray for the ones fighting this battle,

And every other battle that has been encountered this year

Because after all,

 Infinite events can happen in one year