Anna Marie Sewell
CREATION
they say, star woman fell
down here because
she was curious
down here because
she was curious
they say, the star sisters
still watch us
still watch us
they say, when star woman fell
it was a humble one
who gave all he had to reach
enough earth for her landing
it was a humble one
who gave all he had to reach
enough earth for her landing
they say, the humble ones
still watch us
still watch us
they say, the turtle carries
on her shell the sacred
geometries, the formula
for moon and time
on her shell the sacred
geometries, the formula
for moon and time
they say, this is still
turtle island
turtle island
they say, if you listen
the song goes on
the song goes on
sing, they say.
-
Anna Marie Sewell
“The song goes on. Sing, they say.”
I love this poem so much!
The Canadian poet Anna Marie Sewell has been
described as “a peace-seeking Indigenous warrior” and a multi-disciplinary
artist. Her work is designed to be collaborative. She employs poetry, song,
theatre and community art in her work. She is a founding member of Edmonton’s
Stroll of Poets Society, promoting poetry through performances and festivals. And
she was Edmonton’s Poet Laureate from 2011 to 2013.
The metre of her poems lends itself
to Spoken Word and chant. The poet invites us: “Come, lovers of language,
seekers of change, moon-mad prophets, come. Read and share these poems and
songs, and answer them back with your own.”
The poet is of Mi’kmaq, Anishinaabe and Polish
descent, but grew up in Alberta, in the land of the Cree and Beaver people.
Anna Marie Sewell has two books of poetry: Fifth World
Drum, (2009), and For
the Changing Moon: Poems and Songs (2018).
Another beautiful poem, too long to include here is “Washing
the World”. It is about the grandmothers, washing the world with their tears,
waiting for their lost ones to come home. It is very moving.
I love this poet’s voice. Goodreads tells us “She writes from the
intersection of two cultures, and the silence between two rivers.” From that silence, her voice arises, clear and true, with love for her people and Mother Earth.
Sources:
Material shared in 'I Wish I'd Written This' is presented for study and review. Poems, photos and other writings remain the property of the copyright owners, usually their authors.
Hi friends, we hope you are enjoying a beautiful day on Turtle Island......may the sun shine on you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this poem, Rosemary. It has power to it, and I can definitely hear it being spoken aloud. I like her voice very much as well, and I feel her spirit in her words!
ReplyDeleteSherry, not me, this time. (Smile.) And I so agree with what you say about the poem.
DeleteSigh, I did know that really. It was just an auto response.. wish I could have edited it later. Grrrrrh.
Delete"they say, if you listen / the song goes on"...Few fortunate ones hear them. This is a lovely poem, Sherry. Thanks for the share.
ReplyDeleteSherry, I can see why you love this poem so much. It's very special, and the poet's voice beautiful and unique in this and Washing the World, which I went and read too. I'll be hunting up her books!
ReplyDeleteYay! Yes, i am most impressed by Washing the World. Grandmothers have much wisdom and, thus, many tears.
ReplyDeleteI really love the thought of a song that goes on and on and on... because is being listened to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful share! A beautiful poetic voice. I love it, too. Thanks for this, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, friends. My pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we listen, really listen, we can hear this song and sing along. I love this poem and the image and thoughts it provoked in me. Thank you Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening....all the time!
ReplyDelete