Ancient warrior

Blood cannot change. Sometime must go back to your place of birth to learn peace.

                     

   Ancient warrior

I drove to the forest.
Away from the city.
I took my grandson with me to learn the spirit of the forest.
We walked deep into the safety of the woods and
the friendship of the wind.
I watched the birds and animals fly and roam free.

I found a river.
The water was strong and still clean from man's pollution.
I took out my sage. I lit the sage.
Said a quiet prayer.

I walked along the river.
Three year old Grandson followed.

"Spirit of life and death.
Please give me strength and wisdom.
Protect the water, the earth and the sky.
Allow the spirit of the hawk and wolf to send wisdom
to the leaders of this world.
So much war and violence.
Hate had overtook kindness."

I heard a quiet whisper in the wind.
"Ancient Warrior. Put your feet into the river.
Refresh your body and heart. Allow nature to absorb your pain."

I put my feet into the water. My grandson does the same.
I looked to the sky and whispered.
"Thank you spirit of life and death.
Thank you for the drinking water.
Thank you for the green earth.
Thank you for the clean air."

I raised my hand to the sky.
I allowed the sage smoke to spread around me and my grandson.
I knew the truth. I relearn many times in my life.

"We are one people on one planet.
We must live together in peace.
We must know peace for the sake of the children."

People tell me.
Man is foolish.
He cannot know peace. He cannot live without war.
Will a nuclear weapon killing a million people?
Will their screams of cities show the way to peace?

Old ancient warrior watches his grandson run through the forest.
He wondered what kind of world did he leave for his grandchild?

                            Coyote
                            Sept. 2012

Author's Note

People tell me. War is a part of us. One day when we are all dead. What will be remembered about the race of man?

Reviews

[Kaylor Mason]

That's a very good question. That's one reason I became a writer, rather than a soldier. Wars come, and wars go, and soldiers always die in the end and become dust . . . but our written words are eternal, and they live on forever. As necessary as soldiers are to society (and as much as I admire them,) something tells me being a writer is more of a lasting legacy than being a soldier

[Caradoc]

And when we are all dead and gone, who then will read the words of hearts? Even though we may leave our legacies in stone, as did our ancient ancestors, who might be left to wonder at our passing?

Depressing I know, but as a writer, I think on these questions often.

-Caradoc

[Jane Taylor Hardy]

Enchanting piece Coyote....your poetry is wise and very natural....your writing feels very earthy and beautiful.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jane. Real thoughts create real poetry. I fear for the leftover of a mess that can't be fixed. I hope and pray we learn. Whole world must get along before it is too late.

[E.VA]

The question posed in the "Author's Note" made me come up with only one answer. "They were young." I'm not sure why that was an answer that popped into my head, wish it had more descriptors or a further reason as to why but voila.

I could see the movie of this playing in my head as I read this piece and really like how it truly drew one in to the outing of the characters and even to the things that were not mentioned but rather, felt. I think you touched on something very deep with this one that has an individualized and unique way of resonating with your readers. I really enjoyed it.

Side note: Kinda got the impression that the stream, or perhaps rather the spirit of life and death in the poem debated whether or not to take the grandchild if/while the grandfather was speaking to the spirit. Which was interesting, as the ending speaks of what world is left behind for the grandchild, especially since the young one has copied as best a child can, his grandfather's steps throughout the piece. :)


Take care and be well.
E.VA

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the good comment. I believe if we don't change. We will leave nothing for the next generation. No-one will listen till. A terrible thing happens. I believe will take a nuclear weapon to show man. We must know peace.
Coyote

[Sheryl]

Very deep and loving reflections of the state of mother earth, this definitely needed to
to be written and hopefully read by many. I was enthralled throughout the entire reading
and most whole heartedly agree with you, Exceptional writing my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sheryl. I appreciate the comment. We must protect Nature. We need her more than she needs us.

[~Sarah~ Idríel T..]

It's very memorable writing. I will try my best to recycle and use as little as possible disposable goods. I do not need all the stuff that is advertised to us, I can manage with less although in the past I came to gathering all the stuff that I did not need.

I love nature, forests in which the human voice is not yet be wafted, only the whisper of the wind. Happy brooks and birdsong. We have to protect Mother Earth!

I never understand why people can be so cruel to another, completely unjustified.

Well done my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. If we led with concern, kindness and love. Would be a better world. Thank you Sarah for reading my words.

[~Sarah~ Idríel The Fair]

It is an honor. :)

[T.W. Early]

I liked the themes of spirituality and nature that appeared. Also it fits in with your other pieces questioning the morality of war and promoting the importance of peace. Great one!

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm 1/2 Ojibwa. I hold on to old belief. I still use my Grandmother herbal cures. I wish we can learn before it is too late. The planet is getting smaller. We must get along. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Me]

This is so beautiful and heartfelt

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. This poem is one of my favorite.

[Space Cazz]

I believe that as long as man inhabits the Earth, war will always be among us. If we can raise a new generation not governed by old politics, then maybe that will change. Those that say war is a necessity have never experienced it full hand. If I ever have a grandson, I hope that I can walk with him through nature the same as you, Ancient Warrior.

[SyberRose]

Getting back to nature and just going for a walk with your little grandson or any little child
is truly a gift to enjoy...

As we know children suffer for the sins of the parents...thank God for Grandparents because for some reason they love children even more than their own children...I know...its amazing...We can learn alot from children...From the mouths of babes..but at the same time...in the olden days people used to say children should be seen and not heard...
I wonder whoever came up with that...what a sad statement...anyway thank you for taking us on
your journey of nature...Rose

[Ken Simm.]

Although you say Man is foolish. There is no part of this that is. This is wisdom. And the warrior will be leaving his grandson wisdom. That is the best thing he can do. The best thing he can leave.
Also Black Elk said....
“Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of the little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss.”

[Ken Simm.]

You are also correct Mankind will be remembered for war.

[WillowWhisper]

This is very, very beautiful. I can smell the sage, and see the spirits swirling around you, whispering truths into the depths of your mind. The people of my temple (and I suppose all those of a nature-based religion) and I always do what we can to honor the mother, all the spirits, and the creator. Although being a college student with a 9-5 desk job makes it easy to slip away from that and forget the true unity and importance of this life and of our being here. Thank you for sharing this and taking me on a small journey to a happy, hopeful place.