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Shaman Woman
You stand amongst the cedar in great adornment
Your hands are outstretched and smooth as the petals of a buttercup
As sweet as the honey of a clover head
And yet you speak of hardship and pain
And in your eyes I see light
The sun speaks to you
And through these songs you share
You share with us the memories of our ancestors
You share with us the glory and the pain
Sweet Medicine Woman
You come to gather with us under this beautiful tree
that Mother Earth has given us
Why do you do this?
What can we give to you for your knowledge?
And your pain
Sweet Medicine Woman
your stories of great length
We devour them like the syrup of the maple tree
and when we are done we give thanks
Thanks that the stories and prophecies you have told
Are passed on down to our children
For this we are grateful
For this we give thanks with tobacco
An eagle feather adorns your hair
Was that a gift from the great Creator?
Sweet Medicine Woman you tell us to be free
You tell us to not give up hope
And when we are in battle we drive our stake
into the ground
The circle we endure
And when the battle is over
We know we have won
Because Sweet Medicine Woman
You have told us this
And we respect you.
 • Darla Fisher-Odjig is a Canadian Native Fine Artist/poet and Professional Art Therapist, For more information, visit www.fisherodjigstudio.spaces.live.com |
