An old land claim is with Cain and Abel,
A murder and exile East of Eden,
Home again where Lucy’s been done*.
Human behavior might now be more stable?
Yet, another settler comes in succession,
Others depart on their way,
‘Tho some old-timers elect to stay.
All with brains for timely discussion.
No longer the cry: this was Crown’s Land,
For ‘tis public to all the human race,
No soul is exiled or to be banned.
A land and plot can have a place,
‘Tis part, perhaps, of the Great Spirit’s plan,
Realized in thoughts of time and grace.
* “Lucy” is a 3.2 million-year-old human ancestor, found in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian name “Dinknesh” meaning “You are marvellous.”
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.