We rest in the grove within our hearts
because we are wanted here
just as we are.
This is our family of choice and more,
a family beyond blood.
Here we are all at home.

We stand, our hearts within the grove,
because we belong here
as we have always been.

Here we can remember ourselves to each other.
The long lines in our faces
the rings of years around our center,
each one bringing us one step closer
to the Truth we all seek.

In this verdant house we call upon each other
to live beyond fear
to give beyond comfort
to love this garden we have sown
beyond the bounty of today’s harvest.
For while we work with heart and sweat and blood,
in this circle we stand not for us,
we sow not for us,
we tend not for us,
we love not for us.

Each root, branch and blossom
is a prayer, a yearning,
and that fruit which ripens here,
we offer in the name of peace
as a gift to all who are hungry.

So may it always be
that wherever we go, we rest
in the quiet grove of our hearts,
held close by brothers and sisters,
The Great Spirit and its many names and faces,
who knows us
who trusts us
who loves us
as we are,
and yet
who will forever and always
ask of us
to live more
to give more
to love more
because it is what is needed.

~ West Latta – May, 2010 ~