Gichimanidoo-giizis (Great-Spirit Moon), January 13, 2023
~~ NEW BEGINNINGS ~~
Do not fret niinimoshenh
Take my hand
The forest is never
As dense as it seems
Accept my hand
Let’s leave the backward path
And walk toward that sacred place
Where Earth and Sky meet
Our Mother and our Father
Never judge or hold grudges
They Dance In A Different Light
The warm light of New Beginnings
Let's fly with the Eagles and the Hawks
To that soundless world beyond the clouds
And lie down where the mighty river flows
Until our dreams become the Stars.
Take my hand...
Boozhoo. The painting shown above, which I completed recently, depicts the tale of two lifelong companions who dance together and hold hands in both this world and the next.
Seven years ago, I composed the poem "New Beginnings" for an artist rom Canada I deeply loved, who ultimately betrayed and deeply hurt me. Despite this, I chose not to become cynical about love. The fact that someone hasn't yet found the right person to share their heart with doesn't mean true love is simply an illusion. This belief sustained me and eventually led the right person to come into my life.
I created the painting "Take My Hand" to celebrate this new love, or more accurately, to demonstrate my resolve never to give up on love.
However, it delves further. It begins with oneself. We cannot genuinely open up to others until we first love ourselves.
It extends even further. It surpasses our earthly reality and experiences. For this reason, I dedicate the painting to my sister Diane Badbear, who is grieving for owiijiiwaaganan (her husband) who recently departed for the spirit world to join his ancestors.
Hold onto his hand, nimis, regardless of how distant he might appear sometimes.
Hope. Comfort. Inspiration. Friendship. And our stories. These are the things in life that, eventually, pull us through.
Poem: © 2016 - 2023 Zhaawano Giizhik
Illustration: Take My Hand (New Beginnings) © 2023 Zhaawano Giizhik
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