Take a deep breath.
Feel the center of your chest open.
Just enough to let yourself soften,
Let the edges blur,
Let your weight be held.
This is your space.
This is your breath.
Close your eyes and imagine.
Wait,
Wait,
Wait.
I think I have the wrong script.
Sorry guys.
Let's do this again.
Yeah,
You're going to want to be awake for this one.
Peace does not rush,
It settles,
It listens,
It takes root before it rises.
I am not here for peace that bows,
My peace is not submission.
I am here for peace that builds,
Peace that braids itself into the backbone,
Peace that growls,
Peace that sings,
Peace that holds my words like gossamer thread spun of titanium woven through the fabric of my being.
I want the kind of peace that makes room at the table and flips it when it must.
Peace that doesn't bow down but stands tall,
Even with blistered feet,
Dirt under my nails and a trembling voice.
I choose peace,
Peace that takes a breath but never swallows it without speaking.
Honestly,
Peace is not being afraid all the time.
It's my daughter walking to school.
Start the rhythm of peace with me.
Snap your fingers and say it with me,
Not once but three times.
Peace in my bones.
Peace in the ground.
Peace where I walk.
Peace is all around.
Let's do that again.
Peace in my bones.
Peace in the ground.
Peace where I walk.
Peace is all around.
And again.
Peace in my bones.
Peace in the ground.
Peace where I walk.
Peace is all around.
Don't hand me peace that needs permission.
Don't hand me peace that stays quiet just to be liked.
I want peace that drips with courage.
Peace that's sweaty,
Messy,
Real.
The kind of peace that rattles my ribcage when I shout.
The kind that sets my soul back to center.
I want peace that calls your name.
On the whispers of the wind and in the fiercest of storms,
Peace that listens for truth and speaks it clear and unafraid.
Peace is being allowed to feel joy without guilt.
Peace means I can stop defending my existence.
It's quiet,
But it's quiet where I still exist.
Clap your hands together and say it with me again.
Peace in my breath.
Peace in my breath.
Peace in the sky.
Peace in the sky.
Peace in my voice.
Peace in my voice.
Peace will rise and fly.
Peace will rise and fly.
Let's do this again.
Peace in my breath.
Peace in the sky.
Peace in my voice.
Peace will rise and fly.
Peace in my breath.
Peace in the sky.
Peace in my voice.
Peace will rise and fly.
So when I say peace,
I don't mean silence.
I mean presence.
I mean the sound of many hearts beating as one.
I mean prayer woven into action and breath held with strangers.
I mean the kind of peace that shakes systems,
That rattles divisions until they crumble whole.
The kind of peace that needs no words,
Only breath.
Peace that rises again and again and again.
Not passive,
Not still,
But blazing,
Alive.
It's when my land,
My language,
And my ancestors are honored.
A family where no one is missing.
It's a moment when my body isn't in survival mode.
Soles of your feet to the flesh of the earth.
Stomp it out and say it with me again.
Peace in my flame.
Peace in my flame.
Peace in my will.
Peace in my will.
Peace in the spark.
Peace in the spark.
Peace that won't stand still.
Peace that won't stand still.
Again.
Peace in my flame.
Peace in my flame.
Peace in the spark.
Peace that won't stand still.
Peace in my flame.
Peace in my will.
Peace in the spark.
Peace that won't stand still.
It's knowing my black son won't be a target just for being who he is.
Peace is being believed.
Peace is when my trans friends are safe.
Not just alive.
Safe.
This peace is our peace.
Flowing like rivers into oceans.
One drop.
Two drops.
And countless more.
A tsunami of peace rising together.
Momentum,
Strength,
Fire,
And flow.
Rising above,
Rooting deep below.
Peace that heals and softens.
That knows the way back home.
Bring your palms together.
Build the energy and say it with me again.
Peace in my tears.
Peace in my tears.
Peace in the flow.
Peace in the flow.
Peace in the deep.
Peace in the deep.
Peace is how I grow.
Peace is how I grow.
Peace in my tears.
Peace in the flow.
Peace in the deep.
Peace is how I grow.
One more time.
Peace in my tears.
Peace in the flow.
Peace in the deep.
Peace is how I grow.
Honestly,
Peace is not being afraid all the time.
It's not having to explain why I need space to heal.
It's being able to walk down the street and not feel like a target.
Peace is when I can breathe fully without bracing for the next thing.
This peace is breath.
This peace is flame.
It knows no border,
Bears no name.
It serves the dark.
It wakes the dawn.
It keeps on rising when hope is gone.
It's not for one.
It's made for all.
The quiet call that breaks the fall.
Peace that transcends name and nation.
Peace that breathes between stars and skin.
Peace that needs no flag,
Only willing hands.
Peace that reminds us we were never meant to do this alone.
This is the peace of oneness.
Of center.
Of soul.
Of source.
Of the spirit that connects us all.
Palm to your heart and tap it out.
Let's say it one final time.
Peace in my soul.
Peace in the space.
Peace in the still.
Peace is every place.
Again.
Peace in my soul.
Peace in the space.
Peace in the still.
Peace is every place.
One more time.
Peace in my soul.
Peace in the space.
Peace in the still.
Peace is every place.
And now,
Let your heart open.
Let your breath expand.
Let your soul remember you are the vessel.
You are the flame.
Feel the current of peace rise through you.
Vibrant.
Alive.
Woven with purpose and rooted in the sacred truth of who you are.
Lit from the holy fire of your sacred being.
Move your body to this rhythm.
Now that peace is you.
I'm Dakota Earthcloud Walker.
Thank you for joining me in this slantation of peace.
