They speak softly, with kindness. They are quick with humor, and keep an open path. They have been tested with suffering and have responded with wisd… - Joy Harjo

Children are considered the continuance of life. They are spirits who have come to share the world with us. We have a responsibility to nurture their gifts, to teach them. A ceremony or gathering cements the relationship and responsibilities. The over-culture has infantilized children and the experience of children. And the over-culture keeps us as children so we do not question consumption and the needs of our souls. (Over-culture is a term I created to name the false culture that traps us economically, whose products do not feed our souls with filling cultural song-story-art food.) (2009)

Poet Warrior gave birth to two children
And acquired more children along the way
Through association, marriage, and love.
There were more and more story bringers
In her world.
They became her fiercest teachers
Of how there is no end to love
And of how it plants itself
Deeper than earth
Or sky.

We're all putting energy out whatever we're doing... we're in a constant stream of energy, and we're either singing or making noise. (2009)