The Dark Man

By: Alena DV

The dark man strains

Under the weight of a heavy boat.

Dragging it through “The River Which Scolds at All Others”

Uphill the entire way.

The white men use him as a slave.

I don’t know why.

He is a strong warrior

With a natural hue

That we natives admire

Black as coals burning in the fire

Black, ebony face, working hard.

Strong as the Mighty Bear

Fighting through the trees

Like an ant,

Carrying many times his own weight

The white men look down upon him

Though he is mightier than they are

They treat him like a weak little twig

Though he is a strong limb, never to break.

They call him York

The Warrior

The Bear

The Ant

The LimbThe Dark Man