The Blossoms of Bright Flower

Take a journey with me, Bright Flower, beginning at the age of 13 in 1976 and blossoming through to 2020. This anthology is unlike any other-woven from my personal writings, each piece a blossom in the garden of my life. "The Blossoms of Bright Flower" is a vibrant celebration of Native American heritage and personal growth, told through poetry, stories, and a colorful array of original illustrations. Each image, created in collaboration with my illustrator, carries hidden meanings, sacred patterns, and colors that enrich both the reading and reflection experiences. Within these pages, you'll encounter the joys and struggles of growing up as a Nanticoke Lenni Lenape woman in southern rural New Jersey. My journey unfolds against the backdrop of a community too often forgotten, facing discrimination and the fight for cultural and religious freedom-a right denied to Native Americans until 1978. This anthology opens with the poem "A Culture" and closes, many years later, with "Community," inviting you to witness the blossoming of identity, belonging, and hope. May you find connection, understanding, and inspiration in these blossoms of my life.