I apologize 

 

for my part in it

for when I was absorbed with myself

and I forgot to pay attention to you

for when I misused your generosity

and took more than was given

 

I apologize 

 

for any harm done to our relationship

if I have ever stepped on you

or placed you in a situation I knew you would not like

or blocked the sunlight from your face

or disrespected you in any way

 

I am sorry

You are very clear

Moving forward, I will listen

I will honor you

 

So, to those who take care of us

And to those who tend them now

And to those who tended them before

And to the hands that will tend them in the future

 

Thank you for your nourishment

Thank you for your protection

Thank you for your shade

Thank you for your love

Thank you for your healing

Thank you for your medicine

 

Ashe.

 

Inspired by Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, who writes — ‘In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.’ Kimmerer is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.