Mama
a silent warrior
a familiar and comforting
as my mind travels back to a time
when her tales of many
silent warriors
are as vivid as her voice in my head
Silent warriors
speak and whisper names of
mother ancestors
who carry virtues of love,
loyalty' respect and honor
Silent warriors
bravely enduring
birth of a new
generation of nations
Silent warriors
breathing and weaving
core values, beliefs,
cultures, customs and traditions
identities of their race
Silent warriors
heartbeat of a clan
key keepers and holders
of honor in the land
Silent warriors
peace makers and builders
of strong, brave,
honorable champions
Silent warriors
wind blowers of language,
songs and chants that drum
to the beating of the island waves
Silent warriors
storytellers of tales and legends
about ancestors who
demand never to be forgotten
Silent warriors
hope and wisdom of a better community
teach
respectable characters of a tribe
Silent warriors
sacrifice
life for another life
Silent warriors
planters and nurturers of a future
yet to be seen but dreamed of faithfully
Silent warriors
fragrant and aromatic peace
warming the heart of her men
Silent warriors
all (Chuukese) women
young and old
who understand and hold these
roles and responsibilities
wholeheartedly without a doubt
always are
silent warriors
Innocenta M. Sound-Kikku (20th century) Chuuk - Federated States of Micronesia
Source: Indigenous Literatures from Micronesia, Edited by: Evelyn Flores, Emelihter Kihleng and Craig Santos Perez, The New Oceania Literary Series, University of Hawaii Press, 2019
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