Around the sacred fire in CZ

Two and a half years ago

a crazy and beautiful friend of mine

invited me to come to his land

to dance with his people

and build a sweat lodge

so that we could pray together. 

We built the sweat lodge

in deep snow

planting the seeds of a prayer for health

for wellness for all of life. 

My ancestors passed through what is now the Czech Republic

and my grandmother’s maiden name 

comes from a community 

of a synagogue in Prague

which is riddled with bullet holes

and stands today as a museum. 

For me to return to CZ to lift a ceremony

is a gift

to water the land with the tears of my prayers

and bring life to the seeds planted by my ancestors. 

As I have learned it, these altars are nomadic

traveling the earth

to reveal themselves in the places where they need to be. 

Thank you, dear Czech friends, for calling these altars into your land

for giving me the possibility 

to see my face reflected in yours

in the power of community that brings us all together in love.