culture worker

remembering the past
full off my people's
warriors
whose bodies withered
before other men's
diseases
vaccinations withheld
until just a few remained
but we survived
adapted
our new tribal clinic
is state of the art
we have a well-baby clinic
baby shots recorded
reminders sent out
we believe in our culture's
ability to change in order
to survive
no more smoke signals
we have internet
and cell phones
yet we still have
the highest infant mortality rates.