Poem by Tawona Sitholé, Artist in Residence and Alison Phipps, the Arts and Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies both from UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts
failte hekani marhaba welcome
the invitation of mystics
failte hekani marhaba welcome
passwords to pathways laid before us
ancestors are not done
we are what they have become
keeping the fire lit in the firepit
come in come on come now
the invocation of mischief
shall we see what happens
when we assume fearless poise
far from the nearest noise
chance of getting spirited away
drink depths to quench questions
immersed in everyday wonder
of the forest growing alder
winged singers of mountains
the tide washes the shoreline
simple things keep things simple
on two thumbs we do sums
life plus style folk times lore
the tide traces the shoreline
clay is dimpled play is kindled
if you thought you were at home
well you’re not mistaken
here fingerprints are left or felt
not taken
what weavers fashion is felt
textiles couldn’t be in better hands
what weavers fashion is felt
exiles couldn’t be in better hands
crannog means shama means shelter means more
indigenous ways these ingenious ways
technology of carving shadows
archaeology of unearthing stories
in this round house raised on water
then the pain of being razed by fire
then rebuilt refurbished refurnished
all by thousand touches
all in a thousand voices
all in the presence of nature
the ancient power of water
to gather all creatures
water living and water loving
on the shoreline
and there was a spirit woman
deep down dwellers know
she was keening
she was keening
and in maungira
we were recalling
remembering our shimmering
