They were vibrant women, whose voices vibrated in the vicinity. Their squabbles were X-rated. Profanity pirouetted nude in their expressions. They fought for the rights, though with obscene tongues. Their ways were bitter but beneficial like neem. Even their glances could burn away some virulent teen trends. They were spunky, kept snakehead-vigil on their surroundings. For livelihood, they gathered black oysters resembling them. There were precious harvest songs in their mind-albums. As the sea, they too had a serene face. Their romance wasn’t a red rose blooming, but a buffalo plowing the field, leaving behind clods of ecstasy. They caned and scolded their children, who grew strong in mind and body. Now noxious things thrive in the silence left by them. First published in Native Skin, US.