For Jean Becker and Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak
Woman of the drum.
You bend the hoop of your life around us.
Woman of the drum.
You shape teachings into circle wisdom.
Woman of the drum.
You stretch your laughter blue sky taut.
Woman of the drum.
You lace sorrow into a handhold for beauty.
Woman of the drum.
You beat the heart song of the deer who gave her breath.
Woman of the drum.
You dance stories with the language of your limbs.
Woman of the drum.
You sing healing the way spring sings rain.
Woman of the drum.
You vision bloodstream into spiritstream.
Woman of the drum.
You journey with medicine music.
Woman of the drum.
You rhythm our broken lives into song.
Woman of the drum.
Together we sing our passage.
Woman of the drum.
Woman of the drum.
Rae Crossman
Read my online account of Jean Becker’s formation of the drum circle Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak and the inspiration behind the poem.