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Poem
I started my school years in a strict Catholic school
run by nuns and I was terrified of them
with their black hoods and caps
like death dressed in shrouds
and their stern faces and sharp words . . . 
I spent most of my time looking at the floor

then, we moved and I went to a different school
still Catholic but not run by nuns
oh joy and bliss, or so I thought but not so fast
I was a half-breed and the kids let me know
what a low position that was in their opinion
with taunts and racial slurs
with words like weapons that left wounds and scars
again I kept my head down . . . 

in the school yard I sat alone in a corner
writing in a journal or reading a book
I ate lunch alone and had no friends
until a Cree boy started at the school
we would sit with our heads together laughing
talking about all things-  he had no friends either
except me . . .  
he taught me about the great Grandfather spirits
told me I was beautiful outside and inside
and had an inner strength yet to be discovered
we  became life long friends . . . 
like a growing vine that never ends

one summer I went to my grandparents cottage
and something happened to me that summer
my hair got longer like a flowing river
I had the beginnings of curves and my face
lost the little girl look . . .
my beauty came unbidden
I explored the woods around the cottage
riding a sleek black stallion . . 
and I would get lost in a sea of trees 
and the quiet serenity
I embraced the sun and the moon
drank from the infinite deep blue sky and water
like smooth glass . . . 
I found my spirit that summer
that had always dwelt within me

in the fall on the first day of school
some nasty girls said behind my back
oh let the Indian Princess go first-   in a rude way
but instead of putting my head down
I swung my long raven hair around in a wave
gave them my sweetest smile and said THANK YOU-
I had found my strength 
and that changed everything . . . 
yet my youth will ever be weather-stained 
but instead of a heavy chain holding me hostage
it became the seed of verses and rhymes 
and will be the depth of my heart forevermore

__________________________
December 9, 2018


Poetry/Free Verse/Finding My Spirit
Copyright Protected, ID 18-1093-175-01
All Rights Reserved.  Written under Pseudonym.


Submitted to Strand Select H Contest
sponsor, Brian Strand

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