The Woman's Drum

THE WOMAN'S DRUM

So long, the Woman's Drum
has been quiet
while women looked to men
for the Teachings.
Now, the realization comes
to seek Women
for the Sacred Teachings
of the Creation..

Women, search out
the Sacred Teachings
of our Grandmothers.
Take up the Drum
sing the Women's Songs
of the Healing Ones.

So long, the Woman's Drum
has been alone
kept in the back of minds
silent in Spirit.
Now, comes the time
to pick up the Drum
to sing the Healing Songs
of the Woman's Way.

Women, sing out
the Healing Songs
of the Women's Teachings.
Take up the Drum
sing the Honour Songs
of the Traditional Ones.

Too long, the Woman's Drum
has been silent...

(published 1990 in Writing The Circle Native Women of Western, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1990 & 1991 with an American version through University of Oklahoma. This poem was also republished in the "Gender" ISSUES COLLECTION, a ten volume series on various issues for grades 6 to 9 by McGraw Hill Ryerson, Ontario, Canada.)