his answers might be there
beneath the bark
between the tight grains
behind the discoloured skin
striking metal to wood
peeling in fevered rips
towards the reward
the shape
the stories
the new-born you
a mask to play the part
a placque to represent
a bowl to hold your own
and a rattle to
to call it all in
scriptured grains
decoded by touch
teach him histories
never taught or told
holds tightly to tools
gains control
watching chips fall
where they may
swept away tomorrow
more wood forms
grows from his hands
details reveal
secrets
to this artist
he has earned
in creation time
all is clear
peace prevails
this is real
compared to confusion
surrounding him outside
worlds collide
and clash
a man and his tools
hands, heart and mind
finds his way
his answers might be there

j.rogers 10/03

Janet Marie Rogers is a transplanted Mohawk from Six Nations territory, now a happy resident of Victoria , British Columbia  since 1994. Janet began her art career as a visual artist. Since exploring her talents as a creative writer, Janet now performs her literary works as spoken word pieces to music and movement poetry. She shares this gift locally and abroad. For more information on Janet's work, you can contact her via email at: janetmarie@pacificcoast.net

ĆELÁNEN: A Journal of Indigenous Governance, February/2004, Vol 1, No. 1.
© 2004 -- Janet Marie Rogers