stay rooted
note to self

amidst hatred
that spreads today
clashes for land
wars over water
discord everywhere

we don’t admit
the other as kin
our whale mother
gopher brother
and human cousin

stay rooted here
in the marrow of
your own heart
the avowal you
know to be true

we are plaited
together
you are my core
and I your breath
there is no other

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.