Friends in redface.

They were mostly Mohawk
And Walpole island was
A point of connection.
Close to Sarnia, Wallaceburg.
People in the latter location
Had real problems in attitude
With First Nations.
You know what “those people are like.”
“No I don’t. So tell me.”
The response was an embarrassment.
I lived in Chatham to the south.
Law office. Young practitioner.
Parents years back had
Enjoyed connections with Walpole.
Cottage, native centre, wandering
Wild horses. Ferry service to Michigan.
Word was, the natives made excellent
Guides for bass fishing.
Duck hunting. Good business.
But in Town rotten treatment in stores
Bars, diners, funeral homes, bank loans.
Take for example a young woman.
I met her and Grandfather in Court.
She had gotten into Cop trouble
For drunkenness, disturbance,
Property damage.
Cops had man-handled, humiliated
Pushed her down a
Flight of steps in cuffs.
Grandpa asked me
Is this how Law works?
Face as arresting and handsome
As Actor Chief Dan George.
Compelling. Respected.
I can still see him in memory.
The girl chose to stay near the Island.
Afterward.
Wonder if she was interested in
Revival Tent meetings
We shared with the Mohawk
In later months of summer.
By the River in the
White clapboard Church.
Praising with black
Evangelists from Detroit.
Wonderful stuff and
Real Church, peeper frogs
Joining in from the River.
Out back.
Every skin and
Tribe and tongue
Gathered round the Throne. (Revelation chapter five)




Owe no man anything, except the debt to love him.