the universe, a language

I brought all the protections I had

a child’s stone in my pocket

the rose scent of my grandmother

morning silent prayer, repeated out loud

bear charms, mirror affirmations, planned replies

how to have an open heart, but behind a shield

a favorite scarf, comfortable shoes, a rescue plan

medicine tea from matriarchs, gratitude, courage

truth can arrive even from unhealthy hearts

to speak with certainty and offer my truth

seeing that a toxic stilted laugh does not harm me

“you are so overloaded with gifts”

we each choose a path and play a role

this full moon will be a partial eclipse

sleeping bear, just a partial transformation

I can say I am an artist, I am a writer, and I teach

but my life started as I held mother knowledge

I could build safety for us two

though never before known

I cry a few tears, and thank the fierceness

of a child that found how to survive

who now teaches a dance of transformation

rainbow child, who will you be, who will I be

for you

for every autocorrect foe

he said adversary when he meant advocacy

she called herself a skunk – for protection

raised in safety, makes safety for self and family

activist means to make a difference, make change

can safety and change make friends

friendships are chosen not made

my people marked bears season at the world tree

to sleep, bones left as last marks

before a marker declared songs were forgotten

I listen with one ear to the moon, to my heart

a daughter renamed, a spirit intended for soaring

today I taught patience, dreams and being

I thanked the old ones

I will learn to thank the ones who teach me

to only listen with one ear