As a former long-time resident of Squamish, I have a fondness for the Stawamus Chief. Her recent rock slides inspired me to express her ‘shedding’ in a poem. Voicing a perspective not just limited to humans but applicable to all-natural elements. “Sweet Stawamus” captures the essence of change and the need to embrace that journey. May we continue to honour and respect this beautiful land, our home.
Sweet Stawamus
Her beauty wanes
Shedding decades of her weary vein
She unfolds
Cascading formations of pastReleasing pressure and stress
Unrelenting passion of present
Making room for new
Embracing changeChallenging nothing
Exercising privilege to release
Honoring the process
Now, in this breath, fearlessShe renews, she frees herself
In this moment, sharing rebirth
This precious process
Years of fatigue take their tollPreserved by the experiences of past
Solidified in the knowing of now
The journey continuesWe are honoured, we are grateful
Lauren Joy PatarSquamish
