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Everlast

July 20, 2017 by Keri Hakan Leave a Comment

Steam circles
Over boiling water
Rising

Medicine smoke circles
Over me
Rising

Yearning and prayer circle
My heart
Rising

I hold these
Close
Warm myself
Cleanse myself
Free myself

The steam from my tea
The medicine from sage I burn
The prayers from my tears

Do you know me?

I will rise
if it is easier
to hold me close

Filed Under: Culture, Featured Writing, Poetry, Spirit

About Keri Hakan

I was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo. I currently live in a suburb of Portland, OR. I am the youngest of seven and an Auntie and Great Auntie to too many to count . In 1996 I earned my BA in English Literature and a minor in Philosophy from Rockhurst University. In 2015 I became a certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant from Hawthorn University. As a young woman I dreamed of being a poet and the dream continues. I was supported in this choice by my late husband who was a musician and my parents. In my younger years my influences were the confessional poets. I still enjoy them but find my spirituality which is Native way, Lakota, my life experiences, and the natural world are my muses.

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Readers’ Comments

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    June 13, 2026 at 2:40 pm
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  • DHCG
    June 7, 2026 at 2:49 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
    “ They could encourage togetherness by example, tee-up other practical reforms to help free folks from the overreach of top-down
  • Susan Banyas
    June 7, 2026 at 11:00 am
    on Opening the Book of Indigenous Grief
    "The future is made from grief that has been grieved." Thank you Cliff. Thank you Little People, for this gift
  • Watt Childress
    June 6, 2026 at 4:18 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
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  • Watt Childress
    June 6, 2026 at 4:13 pm
    on Reverend Billy wants Oregon to Legalize Potlucks
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