In a Field

(20 February 1989) after John McCrae

In an unnamed field next to San Francisquito Creek between Oak Creek Apartments and the Children’s Hospital, archeologists have dug a hole. Under here is an Ohlone village, in the ground. I don’t know how the Ohlone would have said Leave our things alone. We dig without prayers, without the right to bless; we don’t know how to prepare acorns, use the grasses and flowers, or keep faith with the wind, but we think that we may dig.