And a great vegan cafe, where I was struck by this wall collage, American Dream, made by Alec from ColourBlind, from American currency and packaging.
Even the skin is made from recycled McDonald’s bags.
Here is the poem it inspired.
Pteronophobia
(fear of feathers)
Outside the cafe I bow before
a wall-artist’s work:
a noble head of the race
we used to call Indian,
now native American.
A young brave, male
or female left unsure
full lipped and arched
of brow, head dressed
in feathers branded
with labels: McDonald's,
Coca Cola, Marlboro.
An image it has taken
seven generations
of dreamcatchers
to capture.
The collage speaks
to me of my lost liberation
from dancing circles
broken, arrows felled,
argent moons
on open empty plains,
babies in papooses crying,
women milking dry wounds
warrior hearts brought low.
I let the single drumnote
of its silent plea
reverberate in me.
This is a poem from Keepers: Selected Inspirational Poetry.
If you've been motivated, moved or inspired by my writing or any of my work, please consider becoming a patron.
If you already do support, then a deep bow.
Thank you. Sonas mór leat. Namaste.