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If Only I Could

If only I could ... go back in time and like a mystic change my life path with 
a magic wand.  So, many things I would do different, so many things I could
change. Back, back to my childhood and the day I watched my sister die on
the street. I would cry out loud for days instead of going quiet and keeping
everything within.  And when I was being bullied in school as a teen because
I was different, I would stand tall a beautiful Ojibwe girl with black flowing
hair instead of hiding in corners. I have dreams of my Ojibwe origins ...
 
there on a high cliff
a horse of many colors ...
feathers in the wind

Like magic my baby would not die in my arms, my husband would not crash
his car.  Mom and Dad would still be alive.  Grandma would be rock, rocking.
My little brother would never have become a peacekeeper and come home in
a box ... but most of all I would embrace this great heritage of mine with all
my heart and soul and not be afraid to say I am proud to be one of The First
Nation People of Canada and I would shout it to the sky ...

a lone Ojibwe girl
gazes at the horizon ...
eagles soar and call 

____________________
April 02, 2023


Poetry/Haibun/If Only I Could
Copyright Protected, ID 04-1536-879-02
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France

Written for the Standard contest, This or That, Vol 17
sponsor, Edward Ibeh, Judged 04/27/2023

First Place

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Christuraj Alex Date: 4/28/2023 11:48:00 PM It's a great haibun, indeed. Congratulations! Login to Reply Constance La France Date: 4/29/2023 5:44:00 PM Chrituraj, thank you so much for the compliment and congratulations !

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/28/2023 9:02:00 AM Congratulations on your win. WOW!!!  "If Only I Could" is a powerful write/picture. Love It. You were born to write and to help others through your words. So sorry for your pain. God knows why and one day we will have the answer. Hugs... Have a very blessed day/weekend................ Login to Reply Constance La France Date: 4/29/2023 5:45:00 PM Paula, thank you so much for the congratulations, compliment, compassions and comment, hugs !

Edward Ibeh Date: 4/28/2023 4:23:00 AM Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest with this phenomenal, poignant poem, Constance:-) Powerful! Login to Reply Constance La France Date: 4/28/2023 7:53:00 AM Edward, thank you so much for the inspiration, contest, and my wonderful placement, and the compliment and congratulations !

Stephan McBride Date: 4/4/2023 12:18:00 PM Beautiful poem, you have been through it my friend, but the strength within you is amazing, great for us all your grandma got you to write instead of being quite, your voice and poems enlightens and awakens the mind and soul : ) Login to Reply Constance La France Date: 4/4/2023 3:24:00 PM Stephan, thank you so much for the lovely compliment on my poem and me, yes, you remembered my grandma reached into the dark place where I was and brought me into the light and told me to write it, write it for the world to read, and I did and I do !

Sara Kendrick Date: 4/4/2023 5:57:00 AM Interesting topic on which you have written. Reads like a good contender for the contest to me. Way to go. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara Login to Reply Constance La France Date: 4/4/2023 8:56:00 AM Sara, thank you for the comment and compliment !