Acrylic and Birchbark on Chip Board 48 x 72 inches 2020
In the Skin
bringing materials to the work
with the skin
of paint and bark
bringing meaning
to the skin
of birchbark black on white
that native gift
of the skin
in longhouses in furs and fire and smoke
sheltering in dark winter
under the skins
telling stories, dreaming
in the skins
delicate yet persevering
skin scarred, marks of healing
covering
with skins
home, loves, stories
in the skin
of earth’s blue
against blackness and zero
Yes, in the skins,
sheltered, nurtured, dreaming,
bringing meaning.
Peter Aitkens November 26, 2020
Peter Aitkens 
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