Native Heart Poem by Erin Cowart

There were others here before me
And after me, others still
Planting flags
And claiming territories
Dividing you up
Like pieces of a delicious pie

Wars were fought and battles raged
But the heart wants what it wants
Except it is claimed
Impaled with the flags of conquering nations
And invading hosts

I am no warrior
I have no armies to fight my battles
And I have no desire to climb to the high ground
And stake my claim

I will have to be quiet
Not let the threat be known
Take the back door
And be firmly entrenched before my foes arrive

And I am patient
I can wait for them to bleed each other out
And lose interest
And change their minds

And once you see how deeply I am embedded
Good luck tearing me out
Conquering armies are no match
For the native heart