STRONG WOMAN WALKING

 

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 The ground thundered with grief,

wings broken, burned, disfigured;

Our Daughter.

A beautiful bird, the target of rage.

The bulls-eye of an ugly truth.

A grinding and unimaginable storm of desperation.

Let us speak to this.

Let us gather in the name of those who were hurt,

and then did the hurting.

Let us understand what it is to be a strong woman walking.

The spirits of the living wait near.

Our ancestors come close clearing the tangled path.

I will cry my tears of sorrow holding our tender hearts.

And move forward toward justice and healing.

•••

writing & artwork by Paul Shilling