Kathryne B. Roberts Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Born: Prince Edward Island, Canada Married: 1979 Education: Victoria High School, B.C., University of Victoria, B.C. Occupation: Retired. Membership: Heritage Society of Victoria; International Society of Poets, P.E.T.A. Honours: Editors Choice Award 1995, 1996, by the National Library of Poetry. Other Writings: Published in several anthologies, collection of short poems (unpublished), Published several songs by Holly Artists Record Co., L.A., "I Remember You" and "Warrior Woman". Hobbies: avid gardener, Artist, poetry writing Personal: Poetry to me is an art which expresses the unspoken whispers of the soul. My poems try to speak directly to the common man. Inspiration comes from nature, life experiences, and faith.

Sequoia Grove Rising from the rot of ancestral decay. Moss draped sunlit columns Encircle the sanctum within. Silently I enter; Into the ancient burial ground. Only Indian summer awaits my despair. Weeping I kneel; Before the amputated altar stump. Amongst the sepia sequoia cones. Whispering I pray; Beside the fungus stained wooden dead. Beneath the eaglet's cradle overhead.

Madonna's Alias Shades of pale; skin deep in camouflage. She who's chameleon hues, Conceal the sacrifice of self. Shades of pale; virtues alien in despair. She; who's whitewashed face, resembling Madonna can survive. Shades of pale; flesh toned in application. She; who's masquerade upon the worldly stage, Portraits her virgin image. Shades of pale; pure in celibacy. She who's true identity lives, As Madonna's alias can survive.

Lost Heritage A grey carved totem pole Faces outward to the sea. A reminder of a stolen heritage. Grey planked smokehouses Facing the riverbank Stand empty in rows. An old Indian chants Laxwesa WA; Laxwesa WA. A few wind-dried salmon For the Potlatch Celebrate the salmon run. An outlawed dance From the spiritual world Rekindles the ancestral fires. Reconnecting the circle of The Potlatch Long lost in dislocation And despair

All poems Copyright © 1996 Kathryne B. Roberts. All rights reserved.