Memorial March

Photo by the author.

This is my annual Valentine’s Day tradition,
Gathering in a church, called to order by
Drums and songs and smudge.

Marshals don their vests and
We take to the street

Marching for those missing and murdered
Marching so they are not forgotten

Through the years I have met
Mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts
Daughters, nieces
All bound by their grief

We sing and drum and chant
We return to the church for stew and bannock,
For stories of those departed
To the spirit world
Where one day we all
Will be reunited.

Originally published in the chapbook Inner City Beat (June 2017). I also provided the photographs for the chapbook. You can download a full colour PDF of the book here.