I wrote this poem when I was in my 20s. The inspiration for the poem was due to someone I loved who, unbeknownst to me, was using; I knew he was suffering, but I didn’t know why. Years later, I realized the poem could be about me. In the novel, Mary and her Metis Grandma, the teenager, Mary, must deal with survivor’s guilt, as I did.
This is a reflective song with a haunting melody sung by a female vocalist (unknown). The lyrics are emotionally powerful and soul-stirring. The copyright of the words belongs to Rita Jasper.
Have you heard about the movie White Men can’t Jump?
Well, guess what — this Metis can’t sing (ha ha),
so the voice and music are AI-generated by Mureka.
FYI, I am no longer an impenetrable stone. I have risen above the traumas of life, and so can you.
@Ritajasper
Please see lyrics below & check back for upcoming video.
Please check back as I will put a video to this song. Thank you for taking time to view this post.
POEM  My Heart — a guilty heart |
My heart — a guilty heart
with time…
Became poisoned in a river that bubbled bittersweet wine.
The mind and soul of my heart went through life in a drunken stupor.
I, the little one who belonged to that heart, didn’t realize the eroding, the tearing apart,
the stupid games being played with my guilt-ridden tormented heart.
My heart drifted and drifted.
It wound here and there.
It couldn’t decide where,
Eventually, it found its way to the falls.
And down the cascading falls, it fell in what was years…
of old abandoned tears.
Its mind was dead, and the soul of the heart had been washed away; so now what was left?
So now what was drifting down that river?
It was a heart, but alas the heart was only driftwood.
It seemed to have drifted forever, hoping to find a home,
Any home.
It did, but too late because this heart that changed to driftwood had by then turned to
stone.
It rests now on a forlorn shore.
Sadly, it’s not alone.
The only comfort my heart now knows is
the caressing water
and
The company of other impenetrable stones.
https://www.mureka.ai/song-detail/FYWMY1MEnpSAaU57ZprH8j?is_from_share=1
I am Indigenous Cree/Metis. Main accomplishments:
1) Mary and her Metis Grandma: a coming-of-age story. Based on true stories, this is a gripping work of auto-fiction / biography and memoir that results in historical accountability.
Filled with wisdom, grit and honesty, this is the journey of a Métis teenager overcoming personal grief, family traumas, witnessing the pain of others, and experiencing the healing power of a Grandma’s love.
Instead of succumbing to self-pity, Mary rises above her presumed narrative with courage and love as her Grandma takes Mary under her wing to guide her into the mature woman she will become.
and
2) Moon Water: a documentary about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Moon Water was distributed primarily to educational institutions throughout N. America.
My childhood was spent in Jasper, Alberta, surrounded by nature. My amazing mother encouraged me to write stories and paint or draw pictures for her; she was my first teacher.
https://ritajasperart.com/
Bluesky @ritajasper.bsky.social
TikTok ritajasper100
Reddit ritajasper100
Mastodon @ritajasper