Kakoo-Native American, Comanche word for Grandmother.

Khone-Native American, Kiowa word for Grandfather.

 

The Family Drums Made Her Stand.

 

The unforgiven body works with time,

the body imitates the ancient cedar tree.

It lives, but slowly shows its age.

In a time lapse that is difficult for most to see.

 

Kakoo stands tall with the assistance of a cane,

the resemblance of the aging evergreen.

The crippling disease has affected her roots.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Discovering her infection was a first memory,

as Kakoo's body sloped downward.

Her love for me advanced upward.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Fast paced times and quick moving people,

bring difficult understanding to the less mobile.

Kakoo is determined to pace with the clock.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Assistance is her last request,

her heart still beats young.

But her questions remain unanswered.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Her smile reflects the Oklahoma sunset,

the wonderous glow that startles us all.

Most would assume pity for her, but not me.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

To understand her fate is inevitable,

but my pride reflects her own.

We live for the now and love for tomorrow.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

I realize her cane is her,

I sometimes feel the cane needs her.

Her colorful personality is beaded around the cane.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

I always sensed her warmth,

my present was her presence.

The connection is everlasting.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

As my life followed my own cedar tree,

Kakoo portrayed a darker tint.

Green was slowly followed by brown.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Acceptance can be gloomy,

loved ones grow closer with the days.

Recognizing is only obvious.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Her mind is always brazen,

and her love is deep for her family.

Family is medicine, drums are the heartbeat.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

The gathering of Native Families,

always bring ancient beats.

Her pain dissipates as the day draws near.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Native Americans are strong in their belief,

when drums beat the cultures gather.

The taste of the Pow Wow is intimidating.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Kakoo's shawl is as beautiful as her,

as it perfectly fits around her and her cane.

We all understand it's there, she is not hiding it.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

As the sound of the drum gets deeper,

the medicine ruffles the air.

Kakoo gradually sways more.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

I notice the youthfulness Kakoo displays,

at the moment the tree brightens greener.

The drum brings rejuvenating balance.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

The intensity of the Pow Wow resonates,

as the people move closer to the drum.

Kakoo recognizes the families' involvement.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Khone moves across the arena with the drums,

everlasting glances at my Kakoo.

Loved ones dancing with time, both needing each other.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Her arm tangles my own, her body slides closer,

we stoically follow the same steps as Khone.

Her movement imitates the moment.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

There was a difference in her pace,

her weight shifted lightly on my arm.

The family drums kept us gliding.

She and the cane stand strong with pride.

 

Her dependence was left behind,

her beaded personality was visual.

The cane remained unused, leaning by itself.

She stands strong with pride.

 

Once the realization was clear,

I was overwhelmed with answers.

The drums medicine drew faint.

She stands strong with pride.

 

The drums brought us closer,

I was the cane and she needed me.

Family is the crutch of who we will be.

 

She and the family stand strong with pride....