Do not
conjure up before us
gruesome images of reality
which cripple our hope
shatter our dreams.

But leave us
our dreams of the future
yet to come and our
visions of hope and realization.

Do not tell us
‘you are rootless,
far removed from the sacred
glory of your heritage …’

Leave us alone!
Give us the chance to pursue
our search for our
shores and shapes.

Do not tell us
‘your philosophy is thin
songs stale
and beliefs tainted’

But let fresh winds
blow over the snowy mountains
shaking the slumbering cubs
to rise and shine.