L’etoile du Nord

A poem inspired by our Minnesota sisters and brothers

L’etoile du Nord

Star of the North

Mni Sóta Makoce

As the Dakota called it

Land where the water reflects the skies

Land of 10,000 Lakes

A land built by immigrants

And now under attack

A land of beautiful snows

And of ugly ICE

A land of a Good mom and poet

And of a Pretti veteran’s nurse

Taken by force

Killed by hate

A land where tears

Can fill 10,000 lakes

A land not only reflecting the skies

But also ourselves

A land of dark

And a land of light

A land of tragedy

A land of hope

For all the bad

They show us the good

For all the forces of hate

They reveal the power of love

Though we can feel lost

They show us how to be found

When the compass

Of our country seems broken

Citizens of every shape color and kind

Point a clear way

To our true north

A star guiding us

On a troubled path

To find a new way

To form a more perfect union

Will we follow

Will we lead

A moment in time

It is up to us.