Stolen
What if I stole your car
and smashed it?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Could money replace it?
What if I stole your home
and demolished it?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Would money replace it?
What if I stole your land
and polluted it?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Could money clean the land and buy your forgiveness?
What if I stole your language
called it primitive, said you can’t speak it?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Would money compensate you?
What if I stole your culture,
laughed at it, mocked it,
made fun of your ceremonies, your dances, your regalia?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Would money give you back your pride?
What if I stole your children,
Abused them, told them they were inferior?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Would money take the pain away?
What if I stole the lives of your women and children,
murdered them, threw them away like garbage?
Would it be enough to say,
“I’m sorry”?
Would money bring them back?
Sometimes what is stolen stays stolen.
Some things can’t be forgiven.
Some things can’t be bought.
It is what it is.
Amber Harvey
Thanksgiving
Red Dress Day
October 8, 2017