HOLY LAND Pages: 42 Published: 2006 Publisher: Sandra Kleven,   Synopsis      A Yup’ik Alaskan reluctantly reaches out for connection with those “from away”. He prophesies that the bond between his people and the southerners whose time in Alaska seems fleeting, will endure. The big question is what the southerners will choose to learn. Review      Initially developed as a monologue, Holy Land is an important narrative poem in which the voice of an Alaskan Yup’ik man by turns pleads, challenges, disturbs, beguiles and, ultimately, compels the listener to listen to a story which the narrator isn’t even sure he wants to tell. The monologue turns into a dialogue as the reader is imagined to be answering back.      Think of the wise, ancient storyteller around the campfire. Think of the unwelcome guest at the wedding in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner but add the guest’s perception that he has embarrassed or inconvenienced you. Think of the person you know who always seem to see through you despite your best efforts and intentions to put your best foot forward. Even though that person makes you uncomfortable, you can’t quite dismiss them because they know you. Think of this and you know the Yup’ik man.      Through his narrative, we learn of ourselves, southerners (called Gussaqs) who come for a time, maybe 3 years, maybe fifteen, but who inevitably go away. We are invited to contrast our tourist time in the north with the experience of the native Alaskans who are in it for the long haul – over 10,000 years.      The Yup’ik man knows that when we inevitably return, intrigued and answering some kind of call, we will wear our knowledge or lack transparently. He promises he will know if we have learned. He promises, “I will reach for those places touched by my stories… I will reclaim parts of you that belong now to us… I will find the mark I left on you. And you will welcome the bold intrusion. You will listen to me.”      Even if you’ve never been to Alaska you will recognize the Yup’ik’s pain of being treated as a tourist attraction, a curiosity or as one who is different. And reluctantly, you will relate to his audience.      Sandra Kleven is an exciting talent who speaks with a voice that will not be stilled. Her words evoke the pain of abandonment and betrayal and challenge us to grow. This narrative really made me pay attention. I felt recognized and I listened.  - Esther Ewing- The Change Alliance – New York City