Medicine Man

Indian Summer

Detaching resplendent foliage flitters round

cornucopia harvested safe and sound

glazed stark white frost trumpets frigid retreat

smoky mist pierced by heated tom-tom beat

 

medicine man prepares the brave for death

final healing amulet restores fresh breath

chanting, waving feather, shakes beads and stones

revived to lift summers spent decaying bones

 

mingled seasons ebb and flow paradoxically

warm November days, an Indian irony

reminisce and endear, respite for coming chill

Great Spirit potion grants a last lingering thrill

 

Reviews

[Desert Dreamer]

The images of the medicine man, the recent harvest, white frost retreating and a brave being prepared to die...all in the time of an indian summer. I can hear the chanting and the tom-tom beat and can imagine what is meant by the "Great Spirit potion grants a last ligering thrill". Powerful images in this poem.

[Phibby Venable]

A Harvest of images, beautiful and compelling.

[Wicahpi]

Every word reminiscent of Indian Summer.
Reminds me of my husband's grand-father, whom
I never met, but read his book... "Oceti Wakan"
"Sacred Fireplace" the true embodiment of a "Medicine Man".
This is fabulous.

[Frances O'Neill]

A nice tribute to your Indian heritage! I especially like the line,

"smoky mist pierced by heated tom-tom beat" - and, well-phrased.

[cest la vie]

I'm so glad I saw this today. For someone who lives in a land of one season, I love reading about the other three. This is a beautiful, beautiful piece.!!

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

A beautiful poem. Well written and I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing. Debileah