lie under,
stand over,
peer inside
answers

what is it
about burning…
remembering
and forgetting

a drag on a cigarette
pleasing…
squeezing life
from a stone

Dear diary
war is crumbling
this peaceful way,
children hungry for more than scoldings
growing food -alone.

She tells me
a warrior child
easily wounded,
her soul cries for man,
she tells me of the shelter
a cup and bread and blanket,
how he faced the end.

Great, great grandmother
Elizabeth her name,
proud to share the same.
Born ….. Died …..

Blackhawk and his squaws found peace in the hills and home of my GGGrandmother Elizabeth Gregg Matthes

Memoir Poetry brotherhood dreamscapes driftless area friendship generations listening well mental well-being Native Americans sisterhood southwestern Wisconsin survival this writing life true story