you cannot bury
these memories
in the sands
of regret
or remove
the blood
from your hands
by bathing
in the river
of empty promises
nor gain trust
by granting
time to speak
to those
you’ve silenced
for generations
offering now
a month
in exchange
for what
you’ve stolen
and
continue to steal
did you
really
believe
that black elk
no longer
speaks