Spirit Daughter

My grandmother died on Saturday. To say she was a remarkable person is such an understatement, it's almost criminal. Half Native American, but without access to that part of her culture, she was adopted and then put in and out of orphanages. After a childhood harder than I can imagine, she found her soul's own mate and raised twelve children with him (ten of their own and two more they adopted when her body gave out). She has lived for years in physical pain and increasing immobility, lovingly cared for by her daughter, Sue, and other close family. Her outlook was always bright, her disposition, happy. She loved her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren. She loved to hear us sing to her.

I don't worry about her. I know she's no longer in pain, that she is with those who love her, and with us. Still, I will miss her.

I haven't written poetry in a long time, but I wrote this for my grandmother, Jeanne.

Spirit Daughter

Spirit daughter, tiny feet,
Treads the path alone
Dancing to a special beat
Off to find a home.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
Where'er you may roam
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, heart so brave,
Though the world is cold
Hungry, shunned, unwanted slave
Though she's but years old.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
In your cage of stone.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, smile so sweet,
Laughing through the pain,
Warming others with her heat,
Healing them like rain.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
As you make hell home.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, gleaming soul,
Finds her hearts own mate
Finds a love that asks no toll
And offers a clean slate.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
As your heart has flown.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, mother's love,
Children at your breast.
They're the magic you dreamed of
Through your fearsome tests
Spirit daughter, we are with you
Love you'd never known.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, spirit's strong,
Children find their way.
Leaning on the right and wrong
You'd tried to teach each day.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
Ah, the seeds you've sown.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, body's pain,
And a late life's loss.
Sons and husband gone again
Your body is your cross.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
Even when you moan.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

Spirit daughter, life's release,
To tread another way
Spirits wait you, offer peace
And a painless day.
Spirit daughter, we are with you
Let us bring you home.
Spirit daughter, hear our singing
You are not alone.

This was also one of my grandmother's favorite songs: