They say that there was once a river that flowed

And from the river there were blessings extended to those in need

Many came to lift there hearts up in prayer

Singing and dancing by the fires lit there

Children played... Elders sang... and Shamans brought miracles ...

While the river flowed all remained the same

But in days to come the faces of the river changed

A language not of their own built barriers

This the beginning of the end

The numbers of life lost could not be counted

There were too many ...

Forever changed the river cried out

Lost river I will be named

Lenita Kay Shelton 2007