Dear Rachael,
After years of joy with Jamila Mai
It’s very hard to say goodbye.
Rachael!
making us all grow daring
baring our bellies! Our thighs shaking
like jellies, as we shimmied
our way to a happier day
making laughter priority—
What a joyful sorority!
Flyng veils like full sails,
Sounding zagreets as we’d come
Every week. We dressed up
and had fun. Everyone welcome,
whether younger or older, the shy
and the bolder; we twisted our hips
to long-lasting friendships.
Folks overcame fears because
Rachael was here.
When we are apart, we’ll still zill in our hearts:
“I want chicken legs not chicken wings, buddy.”
‘Til we see you again.
.
.
This poem was performed and presented at Rachael’s last Jamila Mai hafla March 13, 2024. Nearly 20 years of dancing for joy in the Shuswap and she is moving to the Island. It was so sad, but wonderful to see so many dancers from various times through the years could all gather to dance together for another time!
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Shawn L. Bird 