He greeted us in traditional tongue
and reminded us of who we are
The Great Law spoken slowly is intense,
in his words, made sense

Keeper of our language, Keeper of our laws,
Keeper of our messages in shells,
the wampum

He rose to his position, like birds decorate the skies
He wore the crown, on his deserving head
He worked hard to keep us true
He died too soon

He is with his Creator,
speaking f1uently the language of spirit
You can bet he represents us there
in the lofty circle, where he belongs

In the land that knew this man,
the rain will sing -- Jacob,
the wind will whisper -- Jacob,
the clouds will resemble -- Jacob
And when the sun shines warm and bright
to lure the sleeping seedlings to the surface
of their earthy beds--that's Jacob

You are a good man, who did things you knew to be right
A simple man, who moved in passion for his people,
the Haudenosaunee
Your seat is now empty,
and yet completely filled

Thank you for your gifts
for the lesson of your leaving
You have taught us by example,
that respect is equal to love

© 2000 Janet Marie Rogers