Spirit.

She was born to a life of suffering
in the foothills of Northern B.C. Canada
and it took her near death
to bring her community back together.

At 12 years old she was violently assaulted
by the white older boys passing through
and for more than one year
she did not speak to anyone.

Her family, took her to the elders
they performed a Healing ceremony
then a Forgiveness ceremony
and for the first time, she cried.

As time passed she learned of Her People
she traveled far and learned the stories
she became a teacher at 19
and at 28, a Spiritual Healer.

She spoke to the Children of Abuse
her Spirit such, that all would fell their walls
as through her, they found a strength
they found a reason, to continue.

I met her by a cave drawn with lost ways
one morning as I sought a Peace
we only spoke a few words that first time together
there, where the water met the sands.

She had Power, a deep understanding and
long radiant curled black hair
a laugh that could make Angels sigh
and her eyes, were gray flecked with green.

I watched her with the children more than once
I remember the way they followed her
as if she was the very light come down from heaven
and now I know, she was.

Once, when we went for a day hike
she told me we all have Power,
she told me the story of Raven, Wolverine,
Grizzly, Wolf and many others
She said in time, before we can be known to each-other
you must find your Spirit...
and when we reached a rushing silver stream,
she placed her hand on mine and said..
"Your Spirit is here, but I can go no further"
three days and three nights I remained by the fire
within the peace of Mother by the water's edge
and when she returned, she knew that I had seen.

I remember, the songs she would sing in the early morning
it was as if the sun knew her name as peace, and her voice
made the trees whisper and grasses bend bringing
all that was beautiful from the very skies.

She was Freedom.

She was Forgiveness.

She was the Air and the scent of Honey.

She was the Healed Spirit.

Soft whispers and a night that stays forever.

We would dance barefoot on the lawn laughing
walk for hours without words, yet, knowing every thought
we did everything together as if to be apart
was to not be whole.

To Me....

She was the poetic formation of the midnight sky
the innocence of a child and the raging fire of the sun
she was the phoenix spreading her wings in magnificent glory
she was the twilight magic marker and the giggle in the other room.

To Them...

She was a Sister, a Daughter, and a Friend
A woman who healed by simply, being there
She was swift retribution upon the wicked
She was the Center, the very beauty of Mother's Hand.

One afternoon beneath the mountain there where no secrets
she told me I was the Oasis, the shade of a summer's day
she said forever was more than just a word
I smiled, and told her yes, it is you.

She told me she was leaving by where we met
and the stones cried their sorrow
She is remembered now, by all who know to suffer
that through healing others, you will heal yourself.

She left as she had come, with no grand farewell
yet her weakened hand never trembled, never faltered
she smiled, and said there is nothing to fear
as she placed my hand, softly upon her cheek.


Her name now is etched upon the winds.
Her smile was the touch of God.
Her laughter was Angels Song.
Her memory is of all things beautiful.
She is Hope for Change.
Reason without Gain.
The outstretched hand of Brother, Sister.
and for me, she was the very meaning of Love, Harmony, and Home.


I write this for you, that it find your Spirit.
that it reach and brush upon your heart in gentle strokes
that in times of darkness you will know, and understand
to hold on, to find your inner strength
to help others from their knees to find theirs
to Never stop believing
and remember, as I do....

Her Spirit now lives


within us All.




..