Smudge with a Grandma by Nigig (Otter)

Cradling a flame in her hands
not spilling a drop of light
her eyes shut – this is where compassion sleeps

Her cedar smoke warmed the shirt on my chest
ancestral bass singing internal vision
ancient spirits watching my mind caress the skin of the world
universe-ly beings combing the spirit’s heart

No match for the spirit world
my mistakes are broken –
shattered to ash

Healing spilling and flooding to rising smoke
a ceremonial tear
a lesson earned –
blessed by these powerful beings

Our elders – this is how we learn