I have died a dozen deaths; above, below, within.
I am a Walks-Far-Woman with my spirit guide,
chamois clad arm leading me, dark Arapaho arm
to shield me, red bandanna sign of power pulled tight
on the broad brow of knowing which animal I need to be.
Wolf
Forest bred within the shadows of the pines,
traditions of those who constantly move
to the far reaches of the quietest places of the North.
It was November they flew the weakling out
to crawl on its belly for survival.
Because of you, I shall be loyal all my days
to that land and people who are my own.
Because of you, I can bare my teeth and send spears
of bright green sneer while fiercely standing my ground
to protect all that I, and we, were meant to be.
Coyote
Your unforgettable call curves against the coulees
of my youth. In land of country quiet, I am irritant
enough to be hunted almost to extinction for my sacred
and profane. It was their bent to break the wildness,
the laughter and tomfoolery in me. But I am wily
and I rolled my tongue against the sharp cusp of it.
Because of you, I am cautious but adaptable.
Eagle
I came to be called Eagle Woman, sister to Wabun,
who made my way East to share my medicine
from my aerie in the shadows of Mount Washington.
I have come to see my strength and how the world
may have need of me and feathers from my forest of feelings.
Because of you, I see the need to pull Peace from the corners
of this wearied world and to watch for Peacemaking
partners on this new horizon while the earth turns inside out
in order to make a new way of something old that was forgotten.
I am Laughter, Love and Loyalty on wings of wonder.
My guide and I invite you, to lay down your known nuances
and take up the life of giving birth to yourself, over and over,
as life needs and requests of you. Lay your burdens and bravado
down on the altar of Mother Earth and allow the totems to teach you
the way to become a gift to the world. Your guide will breathe newness
into your open-mouthed awe and teach you new ways to be of service.
Author notes
Option 1. I found this difficult because there is so much that can not be shared. Journeys Above, Below and Within can sometimes take many deaths before the flying free to become what these deaths have pressed you to become.
Written July 16th, 2006
In a list
A contest entry
- Sacred Totem Animal Blessings by maa.
333 points, ended August 2, 2006, 11 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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You will notice I never mentioned my life guide. He is ever present in every moment of my life. Being led to know him was an amazing experience. he is who led me to the rest. thank you fro your comments..and yes, it is for all of us too know our guides....i think I became more sensitive to them as I grew older and quieter so I could hear, know and see them.
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how liberating it must be to know--to know whom and what we are , but mostly to know that it is by the ways of our spiritual guides and totem animals that we became so...the enlightenment and strength gained from that are that which will lead and guide us to keep following on the path chosen for us. I have so much to learn yet....
best wishes in this contest. I loved the Eagle stanza,
reenie
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Sometimes I am very clear..sometimes I let the world and a wily few get in under the cloak of comfort.
I just have to remember not to react.....rmemebr our talk the othr day? Well, the hounds have harkened...and nip and dip into my space.
We are human afterall and have human frailties. To reside in spiritual gardesn is to deny there is a world.
I will continue though, to carry on with what I do and know that there are tricksters palced in our way...as you know. too bad that voice is silenced by a few lower-planed souls.
You, too are keenly aware of who you are and your palce here.
thank you for your kind comments.
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I have spent the day painting the "women"....stones I have collected that are int he shape of native women...what a beautiful day I have had with the grandmothers.
I love you too, gf...hugs. -
thank you Charishma. I apprecaite the opportunity to share my soul.
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let it be so, for it is sacred to me. Thank you Marion.
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Well my sister you have done it again...A beautiful tribute to your totem animals.. Much love and blessings always...
Soulful Woman -
Enlightening!
WOW! This is breathtakingly fantastic and very well penned. My due respect and appreciation goes to you. I loved the imagery, alliteration, assonance, flow, words of wisdom and thoughts you have shared with the rest of us here. You have my applause.
All the best in the contest,
Charishma
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dear carol,
thank you from my heart to have responded to my call and replied to my invitation through this wonderful entry. having revealed in this way the gifts and blessings of those three totem animals, is a very valuable present for all.
while reading it for the first time, I felt an overwhelming strength and energy rising in my body, it was almost overwhelming. for many hours I felt as if old blocks were dissolving, my whole level of awareness was suddenly shifting and I felt very empowered.
many insights came to me one by one in the speed of lightening, like when you push the fast forward button on a tape- or video-recorder ...
I went for a walk in the forest later, and in the beginning of the path, I found a feather of a hawk or similar bird. I felt it to be a message for me and thought of your poem ...
in the meantime, the energies have settled and stabilized, and I feel peaceful now.
when I read the last part of your message, it felt like this was a message for me personally, because I felt so concerned and grateful for it. I wonder if other readers will feel the same way.
you have not only written a poem here, dear carol, but have delivered a very empowering and uplifting message here.
your participation in this contest is a true gift to all.
may your poem touch many readers and spread its blessings to all.
marion -
Oh, thank you Taranand. If it means something to you, then I have done what I meant to do. Blessed be!
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Thank you, James. I tried to show how the animals apply to one's life by sharing some of my own.
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Fantastic poem. Being a scorpio, I related really well to the eagle stanza ~ Could really feel the strength behind your words. Peace is my call as well.
Strength builds on strength and you have inspired me greatly with this work. Thankyou Love, Tara
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Wow, this is wonderful, very well written and crafted. I so much enjoy the Native American view of life - so refreshing. Good luck with the contest. James
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