strangers

they have come over the mountains
from the east, laughing,
shouting in strange tongues

taking whatever they like
seducing our daughters, fascinating
our young men with their greedy ways

a restless people, already scouting
spying out the western hills

our elders confer with secret sighs
pray they find their hearts' desire

how long, how long, what rites
will cleanse the land of their blood