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 honor and respect this beautiful land, our home.
Sweet Stawamus
Her beauty wanes
Shedding decades of her weary vein
She unfolds
Cascading formations of past
Releasing pressure and stress
Unrelenting passion of present
Making room for new
Embracing change
Challenging nothing
Exercising privilege to release
Honoring the process
Now, in this breath, fearless
She renews, she frees herself
In this moment, sharing rebirth
This precious process
Years of fatigue take their toll
Preserved by the experiences of past
Solidified in the knowing of now
The journey continues
We are honoured, we are grateful
Lauren Joy Patar
September 22, 2021
