By Wenona Gardner

I am the heart
of my family.
I am the center
of my community..
I carry the nation
on my back.
I carry the
life of tomorrow
in my soul.

I rise above
the violence.
Bones heal.
Bruises fade.
My fear I face.
The rage I channel
to protect myself.
To protect my children.
I walk away from
the destruction
with Great Creator
by my side.

I am the one
who can change
the tide.
I am the one
who will say
STOP!
No more forever.

For I am the
Woman of the Dawn.
I rise with
the morning sun.
Blazing with light,
love, and hope.
I hold the future
within me.

Reprinted with permission. Wenona Gardener is a Mohawk poet. She runs Artist's Way Circle of Milwaukee  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artistswaycircleofmilwaukee