Note: the pic is of my mom and aunt. Mom is the one standing. She just had her 80th birthday. Aunt Mary passed away 8 months ago. Ihstenha is the Mohawk word we use for Mother. It also means Aunt. Literally, it does not mean either aunt or mother, it means: She-who-guides-me.
Ihstenha (Mother)
Born in 1926,
married in '42,
raised 10 children then left widowed,
what more was she to do?
Well she went back for schooling,
(she'd only had grade 2)
and at the young age of 60,
was learning something new.
She learned the ways of teaching,
it seemed important to,
for she held our Native language,
to give to me and you.
Now at 80 years of age,
her dancing days are through,
still teaching and making music,
though slower now, it's true.
Yet still a zest for living,
undaunted by the view,
as she looks back and remembers,
the things that she lived through.
This poem is for you, Mom,
to show my love and pride,
for all you've done and yet will do.
Mother, teacher and guide.
