The Spirit Bowl

my Acoma Grandmothers 
made sure to teach me
to offer the first taste of my meal
into a small bowl at the center of  the table
The Spirit Bowl they call it
in honor of the ancestors
we feed them as if they are here
and speak of them as if they are too
because they are and forever will be

(((right here))) in the secret and sacred part of my heart

after the meal, they said
take it outside
and offer it to Nature
and she will be fed and able to nourish us all
the balance will be restored

we've taken so much
and offered so little
and lost so much

maybe it's time
we filled our Spirit Bowls again

♥