Emily Lambert's 'Meadow in her perfect world'.

Emily Lambert was a young Native American girl who wrote the ominous words to a poem shortly before she went missing and was later found dead in the snowy woods of Wyoming in the cold frost of winter.

The writing of this one poem had gotten her accepted into the Colorado State University writing program.

The words will make you cry. The beauty of the poem will haunt you, as it haunts me.

Poem posted on June 25, 2018

"A MEADOW IN MY PERFECT WORLD"

“There is a meadow in my perfect world

where wind dances the branch of a tree,

casting leopard spots of light across the face of a pond.

The tree stands tall and grand,

and alone,

shading the world beneath it.

There will come a day

when I rest against its spine and look out over a valley

where the sun warms but never burns.

I will watch leaves turn.

Green, then amber, then crimson.

Then no leaves at all.

But the tree will not die.

For in this place, winter never comes…

It is here,

in the cradle of all I hold dear,

I guard every memory of you.

And when I find myself frozen

in the mud of the real — far from your loving eyes,

I will return to this place, close mine, and take solace

in the simple perfection

of knowing you.”

Emily Lambert

Wind River movie (2017). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would certainly find my heart's home, were I to find myself writing poetry as beautiful as this.

I aspire to have the words flow from my pen that would make someone want to cry. I cried for this lovely child, and the words that she could and would have written had it not been for the monstrous actions of some lost and ill advised souls.

I found in the simplicity, honesty and depth of the poem, a kind of home to which I can revisit and find inspiration when words or thoughts elude me.

Throughout history many voices of women have been stilled for one reason or another.

Joan of Arc, the courageous French warrior, met a tragic end on May 30, 1431. After leading France from the brink of defeat during the Hundred Years’ War. She was captured by the English and put on trial for heresy. Joan was burnt at the stakes. She had commanded an army, yet despite her bravery and heroics, she had been persecuted. Joan’s tragic demise remains etched in history—a harrowing moment that has lost none of its terror even after some 600 years.

Throughout history, brave women have faced immense challenges while fighting for their rights and advocating for justice. Here are some remarkable women who tragically lost their lives due to their activism:

Emilsen Manyoma (Colombia): Leader of Comunidades Construyendo Paz en los Territorios (Conpaz). She worked with communities displaced by mining and agricultural projects. and documented killings and forced disappearances. Emilsen criticized companies forcing people off their land.

She was killed alongside her husband, Joe Javier Rodallega.

Shifa Gardi (Iraq):

A reporter for the Kurdish channel Rudaw. She broke stereotypes in male-dominated journalism. Shifa was Killed by a roadside bomb while covering the battle for Mosul.

Ruth Alicia López Guisao (Colombia):

A Community leader working with indigenous people of Medio San Juan., Ruth focused on food security, health, and education projects. She was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Medellín.

Sherly Montoya (Honduras):

Member of Grupo de Mujeres Transexuales – Muñecas de Arcoíris. She advocated for transgender women’s issues.

These women, among many others, paid the ultimate price for their courage and dedication to human rights, for daring to speak their minds in a male dominated world. Their legacy inspires us to continue the fight for justice and equality everywhere.

These are the dragons that I encountered on my way from there to here. There are new dragons rearing their heads and voices every day.

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This is a story I wrote 2 years ago which garnered a whopping '0' reads. I revisited it for this challenge.

Hearts were appeased when, after a second young woman aged 18 also disappeared and was found dead. The perpetrators were brought to justice.

Rest in peace, young Emily.

Thank you for the gift of your words.

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