…..
Dreamworld
Mariah Abney
Eastern Band of Cherokee
…..
The rain falls soft against my office window
It has been a gloomy two days,
Perfect for writing
To the other side of me past two doors I can hear the rain through a sound machine
Ironic how we can listen to the rain anytime we want now
Anything to keep a baby sound asleep in the dreamworld.
…..
I stop and begin to think of a perfect dreamworld.
What would that look like?
What would that feel like?
I take a deep breath in as I wonder,
What smells would be in the air?
I exhale, as I imagine there are no diseases, especially no cancers!
….
A chill rushes into the room to remind me I am not in this dreamworld
It settles and lingers
Hoping I’d give up on my vision of the perfect dreamworld
I do not, instead I ponder about how I can bring the dreamworld here
So many questions race to the front of my mind
An overwhelming sense of urgency fills my entire being
The air becomes thick
My shoulders become heavy
How am I to help?
How am I to be the one to help?
How am I to help the ones who have already heard the word “CANCER”?
…..
….
Who am I meant to Be
Mariah Abney
Eastern Band of Cherokee
….
Who am I meant to be,
what has the Creator instilled in me?
To fight this fight,
to be strong all day and night.
To revitalize. To decolonize.
……
I hear the call to open our eyes,
the need to open our hearts and take back what is ours.
To hold onto memories,
To keep telling our stories.
And to know when to plant the seeds in the Spring,
to bring water not just to the beauty of flowers.
But to our people, within our knowledge we empower.
….
Even though the world may seem as if it is crumbling,
may our rivers of life nourish the drought of doubt.
The grass withers, the flowers fade,
But the word of our God shall stand forever.
…..
Our culture, Our relationship with nature,
the way we describe life through our languages.
Our ability to take pain, heartache, and tears,
And still remain, pushing away our fears.
Coming together as mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters,
members, leaders, teachers, and creatures.
…..
With respect, love, hope, and prayer
I have faith that the Maker,
through all this change and discovery
Uses it to shape you and me to be all that we have been meant to be.
To bring glory to His name and Creation,
No more separation. No more isolation.
I am calling home the victory of our Nations.
….
These poems are from the American Indian Understanding of Cancer through Poetry (Finishing Line Press), and can be found at https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/american-indian-understanding-of-cancer-through-poetry-by-mariah-abney/
In this collection, #American #Indian #poets offer profound insights into their perspectives on #cancer, reflecting on its impact across the cancer control continuum. Their voices, submitted through a call from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Youth Enjoy Science (UNMC-YES) program, illuminate the cultural, spiritual, and emotional dimensions of cancer, from etiology to palliative care. Through their evocative verses, the poets confront taboos, convey the complexities of the disease, and celebrate the resilience of their communities. These poems not only honor Indigenous knowledge and storytelling traditions but also serve as a source of inspiration and hope for those impacted by cancer, elevating the voices of American Indian in addressing cancer disparities.
Mariah Abney is a creator, public health scholar, and citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians with Latino and European descent. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with minors in Native American Studies and Medical Humanities, along with an Associate’s degree in Video and Audio Communications. She has been a cancer researcher since 2016. Mariah’s work focuses on addressing health disparities in American Indian communities through community-based participatory research and arts-based methods. She is passionate about storytelling and increasing #Indigenous representation in health professions and research.
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