Grandpa Toots--By Cindy Hutchings--United States

Grandpa Toots

The people from Coast Salish tribes

drum in my heart, my blood

Great-grandfather, though not born of

was born with tribe of Steilacoom

lived his life

by the water

heart blood of the people

gave his love of Puget Sound

to his children, grandchildren

and I, youth of his longing

trace his footsteps, walk the sands

my heart chord struck

by dawn, help of Kingfisher

I skim sunlit waters

sing to ancestors

answer the drum.

This poem is included in Cindy Hutchings’ poetry collection, Drumbeat’s Calling. Her first poetry chapbook, Tree Talk, was published by moonpathpress.com. Her poetry is shared at CreativeColloquy.com and QuillandParchment.com. She's a member of Northwest Renaissance & Striped Water Poets in Auburn, WA, USA. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in English and Women Studies.