Every Child's Soul

Every child listens and learns 

     the gifts and dance,

     twists and turns 

in the heat of their culture.

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts 

and in the soul of its people.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

The Heat of the Days

Here we are….

Never knowing for sure when

temperatures will cool.

Children are missing ~

laughter and play

silenced, stifled by the heat

of history and ignorance

“Remember that your children are not your own, 

but are lent to you by the Creator.”

~ Mohawk Proverb

Life and Limb

Here we are…….

Every child…..

A moment in time……

Taking stock……

The Covid19 pandemic is winding down. Parts of the world are still reeling. Here in Canada, it is heating up in more ways than one. The temperature is the least of our worries, even though it is a big worry. Fires are lighting up and destroying life and limb. But a deeply serious and long lasting heat is rising from the thousands of children lost to their homes and families. The residential school programs of colonization made a vain attempt to reprogram an entire race through their children, while destroying life and limb. An exercise in genocide. Great bravery and commitment of many individuals surviving this horrendous rending of a long established and beautiful culture has been patiently, steadily waking this country up. 

I am one of the privileged whites who did not understand the depth of this devastation. When I put myself in the shoes of the Indian parents, the shoes of even one Indian child, I edge closer to knowing. Not just understanding intellectually, but knowing that devastation in my heart.

“Once parents came to be viewed as the ‘enemy’, 

their criticisms, no matter how valid, could be discounted.”

~ The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 

Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 

Volume One: Summary: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future

Chapter Two, Episode Forty - Change of Plans - Situationally Theirs

Change of Plans 

Their plan had been too sudden. Although everyone had been willing and able to help set up a party picnic, the couple had their own plans for the weekend Dr. Jeremy had time off. Martha and Elizabeth were disappointed. Dr. Jeremy had taken Miss Em out to a restaurant for her birthday dinner. Because it was such a lovely day, they were able to sit at the tables between sidewalk and restaurant. Miss Em called downstairs to Cook. “We’re going out, Cook - you won’t need to send up any food. I don’t know when we’ll be back.” 

Cook called Martha right away. “Martha, you’d best call everyone and tell them the reception is off again.”………..”No. They’ve gone out. Miss Em just told me and I can see them driving away right now.”………”Don’t cry Martha. We just didn’t plan things. We were in too much of a hurry.”………..”I was still upset about Lily’s passing and you were helping me out. Neither one of us got any sleep that night.”…….. “Come for coffee in the morning” ……. “Here at the estate - I’ll be here by seven.” …….. “Ok, dear. Everything will be all right and we’ll still have this party. When I’m using the dumbwaiter, I can hear them talking, but usually ignore it. None of my business. But Dr. Jeremy was saying that he had ten days off coming up.”……… “Yes, that will give us time to make a real plan. Days should be cooler by then!”……. “You and James stay cool as well. Keep your windows closed and the air on.”…. “Good by, Martha.”  Cook laughed out loud. “No everyone doesn’t think we’re crazy. They’ve always known we’re crazy!.” 

Cook punched the off icon on her phone, still chuckling. “Poor Martha. Somehow, I’ll get that picnic for her if I have to lock that pair upstairs and post a guard.” Still chuckling, Cook turned off all but the stove lights. Walking over to James’ office, she tapped on his door and poked her head in. “Picnic’s off, James. I’ve called Martha and told her the details. Good night, James, I’m on my way home, now.” 

James looked up from his work. “Good night, Elizabeth. I’d better be off then too. Martha’s going to need a shoulder to cry on. 

“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

A Cold Reminder

Cold drapes itself

on bush and fence,

chilling noses and fingertips,

decorating eyelashes with crystal.

Snow may not be missed but

in the vicious heat of this summer

lower temperatures are very sadly missed.

“God, it was hot! Forget about frying an egg on the sidewalk;

This kind of heat would fry an egg inside the chicken.”

~ Rachel Caine, author

 

On a Morning Walk ~ Mr. Rabbit

I startled Mr. Rabbit

nestled in still damp grass

before cool air was infused 

with the heat of the day.

“Hallo, Rabbit,” he said, “is that you?”

“Let’s pretend it isn’t” said Rabbit, “and see what happens.”

~ A.A.Milne

Childhood and Summer

I had no clothes line ~

just the heat of the day

a light breeze and

a card table chair

Two items that escape

the dryer with each wash

became sun-dried, warm and 

smelling of childhood and summer.

“Smells could bring a person back clearer than pictures even could.”

~ Anne Tyler, Breathing Lessons