THUNDERBIRD

Notes below. 06 16 14

A cumulus of transcendence seeped from a dream

to coagulate in a recall of time and define a haunted purpose

 

A failed horse patrol cackled in the quakes

of a geographic grudge shushed by the menacing benevolence

of an aviary lord of lightning

 

Benevolence he never severed even when our Ferris wheels

forced him and his thunder clan to heights immune to human charts

heights of truth where his echoes live

 

Truth and benevolence...threads sutured to the rain and fire

resident regalia sent to see to the water cult's suffocation

and the boiling of the veins circulating human hate for good measure

 

The fire and the rain the Great Thunderbird governed

shunning theories as to how they gelled to navigate

doubled-over canyons of the human's ways

 

Epiphany engulfed the frightened horse seeker from behind...

a commission from the great Wakinyan Tanka

 

The new heyoka's life and horses saved by rescinded history

and the sealing bolts of Wakinyan officiation

 

Fire...rain...truth...benevolence

White dream...Sioux transcendence

Only room for two on the plane

Author's Note

Inspired by the Native American (Sioux) legend of Wakinyan Tanka, The Great Thunderbird, and unconditional protector of humans from Unktehi, the ground-based water monster, and hater of humans.

My poem was inspired primarily by the legend as told by Lame Deer, Sioux medicine man, in 1969, and documented in American Indian Myths And Legends (eds. Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz).

Heyoka: "Everything in nature moves in a certain way that whites call clockwise. Only the thunder beings move in a contrary manner...that's their way, they do everything differently. That's why, if you dream of the Wakinyan, you become a "heyoka," an upside-down, hot-cold, forward-backward man. This gives you power, but you don't want to stay a heyoka for long, so we have a ceremony through which you can become your old self again." - Lame Deer

Reviews

[WritersRankings]

Your opening line was very sublime. You continue to display some of the most meaningful, authentic and emphatic vocabulary. That alone, sets you apart in your skill in this craft but also your existential suffering has tremendous 'echo' in your verse as well.

Steve is a poet of transcendent reverb able to postulate the prophecy of surreal truths naked from the land of dream-poetry.

[kublakhan27]

Thank you so much for the kind words, I am truly humbled and honoured.

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

This poem, is so beautifully done, I loved it reading it. :-)))

Kaze~

[s y e]

The imagery here is amazing Steve, you've completely hit the ball out of the park with this one. You intelligence on this topic is amazing. I've learned something new, loved it!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Noodlebop, I learned a lot writing this one as well :)

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

I really Loved this Very Beautiful and so much Wisdom.


I am Native American Cherokee so I loved this.


Thank you for sharing and thank you for your kind review and comment.


Blessings. kindred poet

[kublakhan27]

That's awesome, I was really hoping to hear from a Native American and get their perspective on it...so glad you liked it Kindred, thank you :)

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

You're very welcome. it's my pleasure always. blessings. kindred poet

[Rita L. Sev]

Amazing imagery here, Steve. I read the poem, then your author's note, and when I read the piece again the story truly danced across the screen. Entertainment, beauty, and message - you have delivered all three.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Rita, this one was a labour of love and I'm still trying to recover from it mentally and creatively, but it's well worth it when I can speak to someone in the way I have here...so glad you enjoyed it.

[Sami Khalil]

In hindsight and away from prejudice, most people tend to see the wisdom of the American Indians and their great love and tolerance for humanity as well as respect to nature. We can learn so much and apply so much from them and all other great cultures. You have shared with us the great message with a historic truth. I love your use of the canyons of human ways. Excellent...:).....................

[kublakhan27]

Well-said my friend...so glad you enjoyed the piece, and thank you for the kind words and observations :)

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure. Any time...:)...................

[Deuces]

Beautiful historical piece... very unique and style and thoroughly enjoyed!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much G :)

[Chris Micha]

I'm part Cherokee and so I really appreciate this piece. I have lucid dreams and dream about future events in my life. I contribute this to having that 'gift' from that part of me.

Beautiful as always my friend!

[kublakhan27]

Very cool...so glad I could write something you could relate to on that level...thank you my friend :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Pretty awesome shamanic write, Steve.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Pryde.