you came to conquer, poem by Charlie Alice Raya

last updated: 5 January 2025

You came to conquer

You came to conquer.
I came to create.
You came to rule, oppress, dictate.
I came to unearth and empower.
You came to profit, exploit, degrade.

I came to see humans
and nature
thrive.

I am a creator of worlds.
I make them alive.

You only know destruction.