Brother in law.
Dark skin with a hint of gold
a touch of red.
Black hair.
I see you playing your guitar.
A cigarette in one hand a beer in the other, ‘multi tasking.’
Always a laugh and a playful comment
Not far from rhythm.
You are a loyal friend of friends.
A father of Sons
you are a husband.
Wild blood flows through your veins.
You left the bush but the bush did not leave you.
You were never separate from the earth.
I see a wolf a bear the trees and fire.
I see you
not separate.
Ancient Grandfathers dance in your blood
Grandmothers are your soul
You are not separate
You are pure nature
water and the smoke of burning sage.
You are the story we call nature
You never left.
‘It just wasn’t possible.’
Look toward the sunset
the time is near.
Go when you are ready.
You don’t have to say good-bye,
you will wink and say ‘Tansi!’ – See you later and hello.
Your ancient language is the key,
the doorway to a place where your soul illuminates.
Brother in law!
Give all of our brothers, sisters, our Mothers and Fathers greetings and hugs
when you get there.
Hey look!
Look at the singers singing
banging their drums
The song of the sky
A love song
A life song
banging
drums, divining your soul from your body.
Standing behind them are our elders
Our chiefs.
And millions like you
like me
dark skin with a hint of gold
a touch of red.
Black hair.
Creating one body
A whole
Not separate
They are waiting for you
standing on the horizon.
Bathed by the setting sun.
Follow the sun
it will lead you home.
©Theresa Norris 2014
For Sebastian, Joseph and Henry
Photo by Theresa Norris