W’pemegawogan (She's Dancing)

A tribute to my friend of Native American ancestry.

For Lori

Long thick ebony hair
A native princess in your own right
Dark eyes hiding pain
Withholding happiness
A tortured soul trying to breathe
Hands working, endless
Undaunted by enormity of task
Cleaning
Arranging
Changing
A heart working, relentless
Unafraid to speak its mind true
Telling
Authentic
Sincere

Yours was a worthy life
Yours was a credible advice
Backed by years of chasing off ghosts
And standing straight in spite of it
A spirit working, endless
To convey strength
Unwavering
Determined
Courageous
A mind working, relentless
To understand and teach
Receiving
Believing
Adapting

You, a daughter of Gluskab
Taken, Nisda Alokan, suddenly
Now walking with the Creator
Your long black hair shining
Dark eyes yielding light
Happiness, eternally yours
A soul now breathing free
“Adio, nidobaskwa!”