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SpanishFirst off, what a wonderful way to start November (Native American Heritage Month) after being in space with Children of the Setting Sun Productions at the launch of the Setting Sun Institute and the inaugural celebration of Netse Mot: One People Gathering in October. I hope you will check out their website, watch the videos that reside there, and keep them in your bookmarked list of places to visit again and again. Their work will inspire you today and for generations to come.
After election day, a funny thing happened. I shared a poem from Venice Williams, director of Alice’s Garden Urban Farm in Milwaukee, ordained minister, and Cultural & Spiritual Midwife at CLARA Healing Institute and a few of you graciously responded as if I had written the poem, expressing appreciation for the power of her words in turbulent times. So it seemed only fitting that this month I share one written actually by me, with prompts from Quaniqua Williams (her artist name is Khemistry).
Khemistry has been a poet/artist in residence with North Sound ACH for the past year; working with our team, partners, and community members to connect art with healing, resilience, and health. A few weeks ago, Khemistry led our team through a couple of exercises that included each of us writing a poem around the theme of “I am,” and then working in teams to make dreamcatchers. Expressing ourselves in ways that we don’t often get to touch – from our hearts – was pretty powerful. So here goes my poem:
I am a daughter
I wonder what my mother saw in my eyes
I hear her voice every day
I see her in my grandson
I want to carry her always
I am here.
I pretend I am not bothered
I feel the energy of others
I touch the air, the ground, the raindrops
I worry I am not enough
I cry when I am alone
I am alive.
I understand we need each other
I say what I mean
I dream of a ribbon connecting us all
I try to be honest with myself
I hope for a future that embraces us
I am part of creating that future.
As we head toward the winter solstice, a special time of year for this part of the planet, we turn from the shortest days of daylight and see the magic of the seasons change. Please join us in being the best stewards of this place that we call home. Hearing the wisdom of elders in my ear, we get to choose what type of ancestor we will be to future generations. Let’s hold onto that with our words and our actions as we end one year and move to another.
Wishing you all well –
Excellent heart-note in that poem!