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Thank you again ShyHawk for the uplifting words. I
do so enjoy you.
Teddie......
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 10:40
PM
Subject: [Native_American] Remember The
Turtle - written by ShyHawk(FM)
Remember The Turtle
This night is sultry. The night sky is hidden under a veil
of haze. The air -- still and thick. My lungs burn and my breath is short and
choppy. Summer is upon us once more. The true colors of life seem smothered
under a blanket of ozone. The weather mimics my own emotions. My spirit is
smothered by the stress of serious health issues. As the air is still and
heavy, I too feel crushed by the weight of this burden almost unable to move
-- and then only with great effort.
I feel weak in my beliefs. My
emotions rise and fall as the tides. The teachings have allowed me to help
others -- why can I not help myself?
Time drifts by my tormented mind.
The black night sky has now brightened to a red glow. Today will be an
oppressive one. The sun already stings my skin with hot piercing rays. The
morning sky yields a warning of storms to come.
There is also a
softness this morning. As the horizon brightens from a soft glow the busy
chatter of many birds comes alive in the pines. My heart is lifted with the
stir of all this new life. I again remember it is the beginning of a new day
and a new life once more for myself. I am grateful to see another day be
birthed. Aho
The dew hangs heavy on all the lush vegetation. The
ravens voices now rise above the other birds in the forest. Soon they
fly out of the trees and into a clearing before me. They hop about and seem to
scold. I am not intimidated - I am happy to see my friends and my heart stirs
with affection for these large black winged brothers.
One calls and
flies ahead of me. He is lost for now in the tall beech trees lining the
river. I step onto the bank and look out over a large red sphere hanging over
the water's edge at the horizon. The water sparkles and glistens. My ears hear
a familiar song that is sung by my friend the Hidden River - highway to my
ancestors. The sun warms my face and the Old Ones memories warm my
heart.
The river runs full from the storms the day before. On a rock of
smooth gray stands the black foot of a large Canadian Goose. The other foot is
tucked up out of sight and her head is buried in her wing. She has not yet
stirred to the awakening of this new day. Her peace somehow transcends my own
heart.
The undergrowth is made up of mountain laurel and honeysuckle.
The air is pungent with a wild perfume. The sweet over bearing odor of the
honey suckle is kept low by the high humidity.
The delicate green of
the deer fern is broken by small islands of white. The snow ball clusters of
small white flowers blanket the tall laurel bushes of waxy green leaves. The
raspberry bushes are choked with the individual white petals soon to be
replaced by lush fruits loved by birds,bears, and myself :).
Slower
areas of the river are blanketed by big green leaves of lily pads. On long
slender necks of green are the tight buds of yellow that soon will open into
delicate blooms of the water lily. Frogs are heard croaking, but the lilies do
not give up their visitors hiding places.
Overhead large heart shaped
leaves of the catalpa tree are separated by white flowers floating to the
ground. In some places they-resemble a fresh snow as the carpet of white is so
thick. In amongst the white petals can be found yellow -- red tulip shaped
leaves. The blossoms have fallen from the tulip poplar. Both the flower and
seed pods resemble the tulip flower.
A small voice scolds. It is the
little chipmunk. He sits on a tree trunk of three feet in height -- all that
remains of a small oak tree snapped off in a storm. The little figure of brown
with black stripes is framed by wild raspberry and honeysuckle draped over the
stump. White and yellow blossoms highlight the green frame. The sweet smell
soothes my irritated mind.
From amongst the lily pads a disturbance is
heard. A mother wood duck guides her family of seven small fluff balls of soft
brown and black to safety from this danger -- me. Little does she know I am
honored that she shows her little brood to me even if it is from fear.
A dark shadow glides below the surface of the slowly moving water of
the shallow. It rises closer to the surface. It is a mature musk turtle. On
land they are slow and cumbersome. In the water they are graceful and
weightless. I watch this little friend maneuver. She rises and dives, turns
gracefully, and just floats below the surface so delicately. I am reminded the
turtle has given us this land. I am reminded the turtle is resourceful and
determined. I am reminded the turtle never turns back. I am reminded the
turtle is at home in the water. I am reminded the turtle is small yet has out
smarted bear and antelope.
I am reminded this is Unami land - Turtle. I
remember the lesson of my friend the turtle and the burden I was carrying
begins to lighten. It is good to stand on Unami land, it is good to remember
the Old Ones, it is good to hear the hidden river sing to me as it did to my
ancestors, and it is good to be like the turtle. I feel a change coming to my
spirit a new energy allows me to once again move forward.
The weather
again mimics my path. For now the air blows with a renewed purpose. The
thunder rumbles in the distance. The sweet smell of rain again is on the air.
The oppressive heat and humidity have been replaced with a cool breeze. Soon
the storm will be upon me -- my journey is over for now.
Remember the
Turtle
written by
ShyHawk(FM)
late spring 2002
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Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate
http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate
Clemency for Leonard Peltier. Sign the Petition.
http://petitiononline.com/Release/petition.html
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