I Tell You That I Love You

I Tell You That I Love You
"I tell you that I love you and you say, "I love you, too."
You sing it so sweetly I know that it's true.

From author Tanaya Winder, a member of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, this joyful poem celebrates the bond between a child and parent against the backdrop of the natural world. As the sun rises, a mother and daughter start their day together at the river, skipping stones. They continue walking, stopping to picnic in the meadow, shelter from the rain, and praise the redwoods. The poem captures how secure these two human beings are in their love for each other as well as their respect for the nature surrounding them. (You tell me to embrace who I'm meant to be / and let the stars be a reminder - I have everything I need.) Alongside them, animal parents and their babies - deer, foxes, eagles, and more - can be seen in the artwork. Traditional artist Kiyary Domiguez's vivid scenes are done in oils. They capture the gorgeous light from sunrise to sunset, and the energy and emotion of each moment.