Sometimes the only sound I want to hear
is that of my own heart beat
so that I'm reminded of the fact that
I'm living for my own soul
and thal all the noises from others do not matter.
I will teach my daughter to own every part of her body.
From the roots of her hair to the tip of her toenails.
My daughter will be strong, not meek;
Earn respect not take; give only when deserved.
Red Shawl,
our people's last swaddle blanket
over the coffin,
the prayers of our people wrapped in it,
the only thing worth smuggling into the afterlife
Life was simple. There were rights and wrongs. Honest and dishonest people. And there were consequences for one’s action. The most important thing in her life was to choose one way and live by it.
Our ancestors believe those who love home
make their final rest in a foreign land.
Dying anywhere but home is
the loneliest of thoughts.