Memorial

 How do we move
forward carrying all that
the past was?
Ears that listen, 
eyes that see
Open hearts and minds
That feel the pain,
understand the hurt
Wanting to know the 
Truth

Acknowledgement of
the wrongs
Desires to do better
Looking to the future,
Walking together
Learning, growing
Journeying towards
Reconciliation

[This poem was written for a final assignment I had in a course on the history of residential schools.  The task was to create a "memorial" of sorts to my experience of the course. The date is an approximation.]