Fabiola Nabil Naguib, Catching Fire (4 of 5 in series), 2021, photography, varied substrates and dimensions

In reverent memory and celebration of Sto:lo Si’Yam Lee Maracle
July 2, 1950 - November 11, 2021

Catching Fire

We are ruminating with fullness
this day and night
an array of feelings flicker and cascade
in a blaze of reverence
memory served and yearning for more of her

We are awake in our remembering back and dreaming onward
with chasmic awe
and loss

Yet another visionary soul has crossed over
and in a time when we need all of our insurgent kin
from communities all over the world
to light and forge re-membered paths
toward living wisdoms and harmonic interdependence

In memory of this audacious and creative spirit
we reminisce whole-heartedly
celebrating her vital life-force, creative works, activism and stories

We light a fire
listen and read from her visions
reflecting on the knowledge she gathered and carried from the ages
a continuum of living, being and learning with cognizance

We acknowledge her ancestors and living presence
fused

We sing and dance in her honour
with rebellious gratitude and enraptured joy
until only embers remain

We will not censor our tears nor our reverence
for this revolutionary soul

We will continue to carry flames with others
lighting and converging for change
catching fire toward revolution

for Lee
November 11, 2021