Category: 108 Poetry Challenge!

I stand at the junction
of two rivers
one flows towards my home
the other to the ocean

I have a boat
which one do I choose?

the ocean – sweet, salty, strong, mysterious
terrifying

washing my heart with salt water
cleansing my skin, pores, eyes, nose, ears, mouth

but I am going home
to the softness of the lakes
and the softness of my mother’s touch

where I will be held
by my family
by the rolling hills
by the kind forests

by the warmth of knowing a place and being known

I am going home
to where the winters are colder
and the fires are brighter
and life isn’t complete without a beaver tail

to nanas and pas
and cousins now married
and I’ve missed it all
but no longer

because I have my boat
and I am going home.

 

To learn more about my 108 Poetry Challenge or to donate click here.

The roses still bloom by the temple
As if unaware of the tragedy next door

The temple that held the fire,
It keeps the fire of our hearts,
And kept the forest safe that night.

A community brought together
A man with a boat brought us the ladder
Many men and women fought the fire
Many women and men prayed

Stay together, love each other.

Don’t pretend to be who you are not.

The temple burns and we remember who we are.

She who created the rose, created the fire.

 

To learn more about my 108 Poetry Challenge or to donate click here.