Light Among the Shadows

the soil of
Nova Scotia
is red
red as blood

it holds the
bodies of my sisters
who cry to me
from their graves

I hear their voices
in the wind
I see them dancing
in the forest

they are my
roots
I am their branches

together
we make our offering
to our daughters

if you take
my hand
and pull yourself
from a pit
by bracing yourself
on me
I have been a blessing
to you
my sister

when you are free
and stand beside me
you may choose
the path
you wish to follow

but
if I insist
that you follow my path
so that you will not fall
once more
into the pit
then
I have become
a curse
to you
my sister