We are, what we leave behind she told me.

For my Ojibwa Grandmother. She taught me to love nature and be kind to all people. She taught me, better to forgive than hold hate. Poem fifteen for April. Poetry month.

                                               We are, what we leave behind.

I remember the most beautiful woman I have ever known. She was a Ojibwa woman who lost everything and she kept her human emotions of kindness and love. I remember she allowed no-one to imprison me and she would take me to the parks, the forest and the water.

I didn't see the sadness in her eyes till I was older. She told me once. When I was six years old. The government took me from my home, cut my hair, change my name and I wasn't allowed to speak my language. I never saw my parent again. With sad eyes, she told me. I don't hold hate. I forgave them, but I remember everything.

She would sing Ojibwa chants for me and my sister. We would dance in circles for her. She would laugh and smile. We were her Spring wildflowers, she wanted us to grow free and untamed. I remember she told my step-mother. Johnnie and Toni will go outside when the days are warm. Even if they were acting badly. Children must know freedom and be brave. Not locked-up and forced to live a liar's life.

Now I am the grandfather and I try to be like her. I show my grandchildren the lakes, the forest and the long rivers. I allowed them to test life, run freely, have fun and not be locked-up.

My dear Ojibwa grandmother told me after I returned from the war. We are, what we leave behind. You my grandchild, make me feel proud. You are standing on your own feet and no-one owned your life. Please teach your children, the Ojibwa way. Love the land, be kind to all people. Better to have many friends then stand alone.

One day, I will join her and my father at the great Pow Wow in the sky. I will chant for her and we will dance the circle dance of friendship and love. I would tell her. I left great wealth on the earth. Our grandchildren are strong, free-thinkers and brave. I hope I did well. She would tell me.

You did well my Johnnie. You honored our heritage and the earth. We are, what we leave behind. You left strong children. You did well.

     Coyote

Author's Note

Poem fifteen for April, the poetry month.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... the month of April is perfect for
Poetry month. My son Robert is married to Leilani who is
Navajo Indian. They took many hikes in the mountains of Utah
during their Courtship. Now they have two young daughters who love Nature
and go on many hikes with their parents. They believe in "The Great Spirit"
as do I myself. I spent a month with them in Utah and we went fishing on
two different Mountains where there was a lake and beautiful Sky.
Leilani has taught their daughters many things of Nature to keep a
healthy and wise Mind and way of Life. We are blessed. Now they live in Virginia
on the East Coast... closer to us. The young girls have learned to cook at an early age.
They have learned Native dances and sometimes wear native clothes that are very colorful.
I appreciate the "Spirit" of your Poetry. tenderly, Pat

[Coyote Poetry]

Leilani did well. I try to teach my grandchildren. Be brave, take chances and you can do anything you desire. Thank you dear Pat for reading and the comment.

[sharonlee]

Oh dear friend... how this moves me and mirrors my beliefs... the tender wisdom you wove into this is invaluable.
And the accompanying video is perfect, and one I have watched and listened to several times.

As far as I know I don't have any links to native heritage, although my father's forefathers came from Canada.... however I have always felt a deep bond with this Earth and Nature, having spent much of my childhood years living in isolated areas and not attending school (I did home school from 9 to 16)
Nature was my confidante and companion, without her I would have been very lost indeed.

Thank you for sharing this, beautifully penned.

Sharonlee

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sharonlee. Nature is our friend and we must be kind to her. We must teach our children to be fearless.

[sharonlee]

I agree wholeheartedly

[Ken Simm.]

Simply wonderful John. Your heritage and the wonder of it all.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Ken. We must remember where we came from.

[Ken Simm.]

Just done my familt tree. Turns out I am ultimately descended from Rollo the first Duke of Normandy.