I see myself . . .

Graciella Rossi came to the Stanislaus River when she was 19, and became a key organizer and leader in Friends of the River, then one of the very earliest guides for and leaders of Environmental Traveling Companions.
Themes: Experiencing the canyon , Feeling the loss , Fighting for the river , Guides and guiding , Meaning of the Stanislaus , Moving forward
Graciella Rossi rowing ETC raft in Mother Rapid on the Stanislaus River, 1975
Graciella Rossi speaking at Witness & Encampment, April 1979
Graciella Rossi canvassing for signatures for Prop. 17, 1974

In 2013, at the 40th anniversary of Friends of the River, Graciella received the first Mark Dubois Friends of the River award on behalf of her and other river activists’ accomplishments and she read this poem to all who attended:

I see myself
I am 19 years old
Strong and Steadfast
walking barefoot on thorny oak leaves,
the same swimming suit and shorts,
boaters butt,
surviving on leftover trip food,
the easiness of my smile
feeling the exhilaration
of being half an inch each from the
wall at Bailey Falls

I remember the river
dipping in my sierra cup for a drink
the smell of the fig tree,
the damp limestone in the cave,
the dripping maiden hair ferns
the starry nights,

I am setting up the boat through the rapid,
pushing limits,
Being scared of death rock,
Wrapping a boat there
losing the overnight gear for a group of politicians,
thanking the heavens for the extra stash at Marty’s Camp,
coming back a year later in the drought and collecting the whole commissary on the bottom of the river.

I remember the children of all ages and abilities
who found magic in the canyon
5 day trips on a 9 mile stretch
The watery womb of love that enveloped us,
slipping and sliding in Rose Creek with blind children
running a paddle boat from the front with deaf kids
strapping on a wheelchair to my boat.

Opening our hearts
The beauty of the river reflecting within us

Mark and I
talking late into the night
warming by the campfire
Brave, Innocent and able to leap tall buildings
Who is exactly is the Army Corps of Engineers?

I see the river guides
becoming leaders, decision makers
The gathering of River warriors
Each with contributions
Our weapons –
Organizing, writing, strategizing, speaking, working, guiding, filming, drawing, teaching,
Working together
Working out our differences
Making a plan
making another plan
becoming more effective
facing our obstacles
making another plan

I see myself dripping with sweat
in nice clothes in DC
Wanting to convince, influence, educate
Pass the bill

What we have become
Better
So many tears for the river
but we have each other
The river flows in us
And has given us gifts
The “silenced” river speaks through us
Flowing from our hearts, our hands, our eyes,
With age we have more skills and power and grace
I am so thankful

And we are called to service
We remain warriors for the rivers and wild places
Dispelling “mummified” ideas

Knowing the value of natural places
Nature is the source of our health
Let us always move forward bravely

See more about Graciella Rossi. 

 

By Graciella Rossi, October 16, 2013