Walking the River
This is my ancestors’ land, rich with soil and
animals that used to drink from the river
back when my grandpa was a boy.
He tells me of his childhood with rivers unpolluted.
Now, the river isn’t there.
It’s like memories are gone with that river
where he once went swimming with friends.
Now, I can only walk where the river used to be.
I remember walking with my grandpa where the river used to be,
only sand and shells on what used to be the bottom.
We forget our land and relatives are but one.
Lance Molina
8th Grade, Pauma School