I'm going to end with two poems.
This one.
I wish we could project a little fire back here.
I actually have that app on my iPad,
and on airplanes where I get cold, I put on that little app
and there's a fire and I actually start feeling warmer.
This poem is called "For Calling the Spirit Back from Wandering
the Earth in Its Human Feet."
In times of shock, and we've all been
through a little bit of shock lately,
our spirit sometimes jumps and we
might lose it for a little bit or we lose
a little part of ourselves.
And sometimes we have to go back and claim it.
"Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread,
that bottle of pop.
Turn off that cell phone, computer, and remote control.
Open the door, then close it behind you.
Take a breath offered by friendly winds.
They travel the Earth gathering essences of plants to clean.
Give it back with gratitude.
If you sing it will give your spirit
lift to fly to the stars' ears and back.
Acknowledge this Earth who has cared for you since you
were a dream planting itself precisely
within your parents' desire.
Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment
of the guardians who have known you since before time,
who will be there after time.
They sit before the fire that has been there without time.
Let the Earth stabilize your post-colonial insecure jitters.
Be respectful of the small insects, birds, and animal
people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm
we humans have brought down upon them.
Don't worry.
The heart knows the way through though there
may be high-rises, interstates, checkpoints, armed soldiers,
massacres, wars, and those who despise you because they
despise themselves.
The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year,
a few years, a hundred, a thousand, or even more.
Watch your mind.
Without training it might run away and leave your heart
for the immense human feast set by the thieves of time.
Do not hold regrets.
When you find your way to the circle,
to the fire kept burning by the keepers of your soul,
you will be welcomed.
You must clean yourself with cedar, sage, or other healing
plant.
Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.
Let go the pain you're holding in your mind, your shoulders,
your heart, all the way to your feet.
Let go the pain of your ancestors
to make way for those who are heading in our direction.
Ask for forgiveness.
Call upon the help of those who love you.
These helpers take many forms.
Call your spirit back.
It may be caught in corners and creases of shame, judgment,
and human abuse.
You must call in a way that your spirit will want to return.
Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.
Welcome your spirit back from its wandering.
It may return in pieces, in tatters.
Gather them together.
They will be happy to be found after being lost for so long.
Your spirit will need to sleep awhile
after it is bathed and given clean clothes.
Now you can have a party.
Invite everyone you know who loves and support you.
Keep room for those who have no place else to go.
Make a giveaway, and remember, keep the speeches short.
Then you must do this--
help the next person find their way through the dark."