BRAIDS

 

It doesn’t matter when…it doesn’t matter where

But I always smile when I see any man, woman 

or child with braided hair

Because it reminds me how across indigenous cultures 

these beautiful braids are worn

as a tribute to women…from whom all creation is born. 

The wisdom of these cultures is both sensible and broad

they understand how women…are the next best thing to God.

So they wear their braids to honor women…every mother…every wife

to show their gratitude to the people…who give the gift of life.

Each braid consists of three strands…honoring women is their goal

one represents the mind

one represents the body

and one represents the soul.

These three strands are plaited together so when the braiding’s done

there is a living link to all their women ancestors…coming together as one.

This is why I smile…when I see how each twists of hair cascades

when I think of how they honor their women

It makes me love the symbolism of the braids.

We live in a world where to these indigenous values many do not adhere…

where women feel vulnerable…are threatened…harassed and raped

where many of them live in fear.

Where many men have forgotten to honor every women…every mother…every wife

forgotten to show gratitude to those who give us life.

Forgotten to cherish the ones who first teach us to care for one another…

forgotten there is a reason we call our planet…Mother.

Perhaps we should use the three strands of the indigenous braids…

To remind us…again…and again…and again…

How we are born of women

raised by women

And we are who how we are…because of them.

It’s time we honor our women…

It’s time their dignity and humanity we preserve…

It’s time we find a way to braid into our lives

the respect they all deserve