It's always good to have a strong son who's
willing to listen to you.
That's what you get for being a single mom.
[LAUGHTER]
As Allison said, I'm Tohono O'odham.
I was born in Sacaton, because when I was born,
there was not an Indian Health Service hospital in Phoenix
yet.
So the closest hospital was in Sacaton, where
the Akimel O'odham are from.
But I'm Tohono, which means desert.
And my mother's village is from Cowlic,
on the Tohono O'odham reservation out here.
The closest manifestation is San Xavier reservation
which, to other people might be San Xavier,
but we call it San Xavier.
So as you can see, and as he said,
my 14-year-old son is now almost 20.
He'll be 20 on the 28th, and it's kind of a scary thing.
You blink your eyes once they get there.
These little guys with little fat rolls and chubby
legs and you're changing diapers and next
thin you know they're dating and driving your car way too much,
so.
[LAUGHTER]
The majority of the things that I have here tonight
are pieces that are coming from a recent.
So I didn't write and I didn't bring anything
to read from Sing.
But hopefully you'll enjoy them.
The first one is called "Am I Going Through."
"Between the beat of the lyrics, I
find myself lost, navigating galactic stars by instinct.
Raising my hands, I wave exclamation into being,
they tell me.
Guitar licks and husky tones burn me between here and there.
I'll never let you down, even if I could.
I'd give up everything, if only for your good,
so hold me when I'm here.
A trip fantastic fueled by familiar melody tears space--
a black hole folding, taking me back, flinging me forward,
grounding me, grinding me into particles and light.
They tell me the hard part is letting go, a woman's sacrifice
of the body--
rebirth on arrival.
Right now I understand, but will I come morning,
when my radio is silent?