Temazcal

I have a deep respect for my Native American heritage, miniscule though it is. Unfortunately, that part of me resents the rest of me for what it did to my people. Have I mentioned that I'm a walking paradox???

Ghostly clouds of tobacco smoke

Float on mechanical breezes

Far more substantial than we

Who came to be invisible

 

The pallor of alcoholic bliss

Will arrive on every patron

In this urban sweat lodge
As the vision quest begins

 

The smiling shaman dispenses

One more round of wisdom

Sipped and savored then gulped

Consuming, burning liquid fire

 

The grandfathers point the way

The four directions and laugh

Toothless, knowing grins

They have seen this journey

 

We want to hide from Father

The sacred drums find us

We have no offerings left

Only rattles, prayers and madness

 

Empty vessels come to be filled

With poisons more palatable

Then stumble into a darkness

That extinguishes the brightest day

Reviews

[ElJays Nicholas]

I can see the double image here of the bar room with the Native American sweat lodge, the poet and the shaman. We live in a ritualistic society where the reading of a poem can be compared with the shamanic utterances of an altered state of mind. But, when we use substances to invoke that state of mind, we lead ourselves into a dark world of addiction and end up missing the lightness of being. I like the images this piece presents and the way you present the images, Jodie. Again, it is a fine poem from you, and I always look forward to reading more of your work....

[zig]

sometimes this is exactly what the res feels like, like alcohol is the new religion, despair and inaction replace life, reality is not a world live in but an addition that must be fed. this is the side i see so often when i go back... saddening. "hiding from father" that is a powerful images, could have many meanings, in this poem i can perhaps see it as white society, the fear and the anger and sense of defeat. well crafted poem my friend, and i can certainly understand what you mean by your comment about being a walking paradox... i feel that one. thanks for sharing this with me. zig