The land we were given
is right here,
right here.
Red rock
streaked with brown
shooting up high
all round our home.
Red rock
shooting up high
right here.
A spring will always be there
down at its foot.
From way back
it is ours.
Right down
the center of our land
a line moves,
bright blue-green.
This is what I'm thinking.
At the edge of the water
cattails appear,
bright blue-green,
all round the water.
This is what I'm thinking.
At the edge of the water
silt is being laid down
in ripples.
This is what I'm thinking.
Water skaters walk,
gliding, gliding.
This is what I'm thinking.
Water grasses growing,
bright blue-green
under the water,
waving, waving
This is what I'm thinking:
Under the water
tiny pebbles.
Flowing over them
the water we drink.
The water is gliding toward the north,
into the distance, beyond our sight.
This is what I'm thinking.
We have arrived here.
An illness.
I sit down,
I sing myself a song.
This is what I'm thinking:
A medicine spirit,
a healer,
I am the same.
An illness.
I sit down.
I sing myself a song.
The things I have named
I leave behind.
This is what I'm thinking.
We arrive there.
We are leaving the canyon.
Out on the rim
horses that are mine.
They roam there
at the junipers,
where the junipers are straight,
and low.
They are right there,
horses that are mine
are gathered there.
This is what I'm thinking.
Here we arrive, then
we swing back down,
moving back down the rocks,
white rocks streaked with brown.
Down at the foot
a spring will always be there,
a spring that heals,
it is right there.
My horses drink the water
that is there.
White rock streaked with brown
shooting up high
is right there.
There is my horses trail,
zigzagging right down the center,
the color of dust.
It leads to
the source.
It is right here.
That is what I'm thinking.
And now we arrive
down in the canyon,
red rocks,
down in the canyon,
they are right here,
down in the canyon,
red rocks, low down,
they are right here.
Here I walk,
I go alone.
This is what I'm thinking.
Red rocks, streaked with brown,
shooting up high.
It is right here,
down at the foot,
red rocks, boulders
streaked with brown.
They are right here.
My illness is absorbed,
right here.
I will this to be.
I will this to be.
This song can be song by someone who is sick and wants to cure themself. The song is received in a dream from a spirit, and describes Havasupai canyon in Arizona. (the song is from the Havasupai people)
ReplyDeleteI felt like this song was a peaceful reflection on someone's life, and their sense of place. By slowly looking at everything from above and outside, repeating it over to really capture the essence of what is being described, you regain a sense of yourself.
It seems that so many people are sick right now, and health is something we can't take for granted with illness sitting at bay. It can be frustrating to be held down with illness when there is so much you want to do or feel you should be doing, but no matter who you are and what you do, you need to slow down and take care of yourself. Look through your sickness, know that it will one day end. Embrace your time to think about your life and reflect on how you feel.
Whenever I'm sick or in intesne physical pain, my state of mind is much different. I tend to be overly careful with my thoughts, but also step back at take a look at who I am, what I am doing, and if I think its right. It may seem strange, but as unpleasant as being sick may be, I feel that it clears my mind and brings me closer to myself and God. And when you feel better, it's like waking up refreshed and ready to start your day, with a deeper perspective of who you are.