Payacita
Jeanne Follett
Copyright © 2020 Jeanne Follett
All rights reserved
First Edition
Fulton Books, Inc.
Meadville, PA
Published by Fulton Books 2020
ISBN 978-1-64654-293-2 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-64952-378-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-64654-294-9 (digital)
Printed in the United States of America
Table of Contents
The Government Boarding Schools
Payacita
What can be seen from a brook to the trees
I stand where the brook can see me
Autumn breathes among the rustling leaves
Tradewinds speak to me
The “valley of Payacita” is the late full moon’s last quest
I will settle there and wait through winter’s zest
In the spring she will come and we’ll do our best
For in the spirit of living life there is no contest
Only what’s kept sacred in the heart
So that your eyes may see
I live in you
You live in me
The blue butterfly
Autumn, late 1888
Payacita
Jeanne Marie Martinez Follett
2004
Chapter One
The Journey Begins
Clank, clank, rumble, clank.
“Payacita, sit down,” her mother, looking back over her shoulders, spoke abruptly.
A few moments passed, and she went on to say, “I don’t think this wagon was such a great deal after all. When we traded our sheep with Mr. Gibbs at the trading post, I didn’t bargain for the terrible dust that clouds our eyes and the sore bottoms we get after a long ride. It sure makes the day more tiring. I am sorry, my daughters!”
Frustration was felt in her tone of voice. She turned the long driving reins over her knees to rest them.
Then looking straight ahead at the horse, she said, “You see, he also grows tired easy.” The horse stopped to rest. “Perhaps the load is too much for him. He’s old. We might think about turning him out to run with the other horses up at Red Rock Canyon. He’d like that. He has been a hard worker and deserves to roam free with a herd. Come this fall we can trade blankets for a younger horse.”
Payacita giggled. She knew her mother was tired from driving the wagon. She was glad to hear that the old horse was to be retired. She loved horses. It seemed that most animals had a place in her heart. In the old days, before they acquired the “new world’s” transportation, it would take days walking to reach the fort.
Oftentimes the goods they traveled there with would become damaged or spoiled. They would bring along perishables, sweet potatoes, or carrots and other vegetables removed from the earth after the last late winter’s storm. You see, living out in the nomadic land of their ancestors was difficult. It was hard to survive if you didn’t raise the sheep and at least try to grow a garden. In the good years, if the rains were plentiful, they could even grow corn, like the neighboring “Zuni” pueblo people. After all, it was important that the spring trading at the fort went well. That would assure the next winter’s survival.
Payacita sat down as her mother requested. Her sisters walked alongside, herding the sheep. They could see her bouncing from side to side in the wagon. They began to giggle. As she attempted to grab hold of the back of the wooden seat, the old horse began walking again, pulling the load they now would bring.
At that moment, Ninleh, the oldest sister, shouted out to her, saying, “Baby sister, sing, sing one of your dream songs!”
