Okay Ish: This is the story! Mt. Wachusetts is a very historical mountain. At it's base was a Nipmuk village where King Phillip often went.  The famous Redemption Rock is also at its base.  A ski expansion wants to add new trails.  This mountain is also a fly way for migrating birds, in particular
special hawks. To save the mountain, something special had to be found/done.
An old-growth forest was found. It is supposed to be under protection? The
latest is this: the ski company cut trails for snowboarding in an area where
it was hidden from the public. A lot of the forest is now gone. Needless to
say, a lawsuit is being brought!! This is a short story of the mountain. Donna
and Gordon are leaders of an grassroots environmental group to save the
mountain. The man and boy from the East are my husband and son.  Enjoy!!!
Jani

Wachusetts Story

Up the steep trail to greet the dawn
Led by the powwau of the small band
Through the forest ,old since the beginning of time
Led by their Sachem , tobbacco and pipe  held in his hand
A sacred fire was laid- sweet herbs added to the flame
They consulted the great turtle,  For they needed to know
Would there be blood or peace for the remaining few.

Words of the light skinned race had been carried on the wind
Animal and human- dying- seers speaking of coming events
The great white wings upon the sea
The people knew the fulfillment of prophecy

At the pinnace facing the East, as the sun shows its first ray
In a moment of stillness - the wind- the birds- all living things
joined with the people to pray.

Turn to the south MT. Hope was the home
To the West a mountain unknown
To the North Mt Modnanack came into view
Back to the East—sanctity of the land renewed.

A century or two - Wachusetts still sacred
Held in the memories of a people from and of the past
Four colors of man now ride up the slope
Rarely is there a view of Mt. Hope
While Mononack is viewed thru chemical colored smoke.

Where once a people gathered in Thanksgiving prayer
The surrounding landscape is viewed through dirty air.
Prayers for the land no longer said there
Progress-economics are the new words we hear
A on-way pass up riding in a swinging seat
The sound of a cash register has replaced the soft sound of moccasin feet

The mountain took a warriors stance as it called to the Creator Give me a
chance.There came a father and son from the west
Earth warriors - searching- they were on a quest
In council with Donna and Gordon from the East
They were asked Can you help? The mountains in trouble
There will be nothing left.

Well, said the older man, “I just don’t know, this mountain was clear cut long ago or so we have been told.”
Onto the trail the four did walk - on a mission- few words were spoken
On the mountain, a hot humid day, they did not have know another led the way.

Each step a prayer - then a soft cooling breeze
voices of the ancestors whispering in the ear?
The voice of the young man carried strong and clear
We Found it, We found it, The Elders- The Standing ones are here.

With great humility the word was sent out
Meeting after meeting, the four gave full account.

Words of destruction haunt each and every day.
The sound of more silver is the prayer and the way.
The two leggeds called upon to help
Will lay the sacred cedar, tobacco, the sage,
The smell of burning sweet grass will fill the air.
Prayers in the language that the land understands
And Maybe, just maybe, the Spirit of the Mountain can rest at last.
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