Remembrance

Remembrance

A dirt blown wind

stings my face as I walk

this dry river bed below the mesa.

It is a barren time of year and 

cold, with some snow on the ground.

This is the land of our ancestors,

it calls to me

even though I now live in a larger city

east of Four Corners

and the Four Sacred Mountains.

~~~

It is in the hogan of my Grand Mother’s family

that I am learning the ceremonial dances-

the Blessing Way;

to sand draw the signs

and dance the dance

that can heal the diseases

of the belegana’s hatred

for our traditional ways:

the Ghost Dance of the Sioux;

the Katsina Songs of the Hopi and Zuni;

the Circle Dances of the Cherokee.

~~~

Belegana society teaches our young

the ways of money, alcohol and meth, 

of scorched earth, casinos

and death. 

~~~

I am only a small part People,

my moccasins too new 

and still hurt my feet.

And yet, I would willingly sweat out

every ounce of belegana blood

for just one glimpse of seeing

the full moon rising over Big Mountain;

of watching Coyote dancing

to Kokopelli’s flute;

our People happy, in balance

above and below,

no longer forgetful of our Origin Songs.

~~redzone 1.15.16

Author's Note

..thanks for reading.. enjoy the music;

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I know well & love & appreciate all the references you've made to Native culture here. I especially love the stanza naming the different dances of the different tribes. I love the way you've expressed your own little piece of Native blood, along with moccasin thoughts, sweat lodge, & Kokopelli, who I always invoke as I try my rain dancing in autumn, to bring more rain to California some day again hopefully. Below, Curiosity made a profound remark about how cities bring out the best or worst of some people. I know without a doubt that being in these hills is where I belong. I've always had this deep feeling about nature & the outdoors. Thanks for sharing this awesome message about the Native ways & what they mean to you (((HUGS)))

[highonwords]

gratitude and respect towards ancestry and family - with convocations with nature and the world beyond and within - a pensive write that made me think of my own roots with love and devotion

best,
steph

[Nisreen]

I have this personal belief some cities truly bring out the best of people or the worst
The history of each corner and bend outlives the souls that walk it
The spirits of all those who previously occupied a space
Well it leaves an imprint that we naturally find ourselves living within

I have truly enjoyed talking a walk with you through words .....

[redzone]

your words are most welcomed RiverSided... I am happy to have you walk with me and happy that these words of poetry made you happy... thank you

[Lydia Shutter]

Your love of nature and the great outdoors shines in this write, Curt. The imagery and the intensity of emotion are like a multi-colored cape to wear over the reader's shoulders. How beautiful these thoughts are. Do you have Native American blood? It certainly does seem so. The music you chose to accompany your words is mesmerizing. A very "nice" presentation. Lydi**

[redzone]

I have a "touch" of Native blood in me (along with, you will be surprised-Dutch, German, English, and French)... Way back in the early 1600's one of those great great grandfathers married a Native woman of the Manhatoes, the Native people who lived in the NYC area at the time. My Grandmother. These Dutch settlers were not satisfied with the "purchase of land, and by 1645, there were no Manhatoes left.. Hopefully my grandfather did not participate in any of this and may explain why my family tree continues in Pennsylvania and not New York.

Thanks Lydi, I love your visits and kind words... they lift my spirits and are really appreciated..

[Lydia Shutter]

Very interesting background, Curt...you are fortunate you know so much about where you came from!

[Cryingkate]

Sometime this Summer Curt We are coming to get you and take you up to the Adirondacks.
" Just a Hare off" owes me a nature walk. I think it would be nice we all get a weekend up north by the camp fire. Maybe sing some songs and perhap tell stories and poems.
You. Me, A Hare Off and Gary............

I loved this write. You indeed inspired a shout or call above the Belegana nature :-) And return to Nature's true voice.
I'm inspired !

[redzone]

aaah Kate, sorry this summer will not be able too. I am a sick puppy right now and would not be able to join you, A Hare Off, and Gary on such a wonderful trek... But you 3 go, have lots of fun, take and send me pictures... and I will try and make it the foloowing summer...
so glad you enjoyed this poem...
redzone

[Cryingkate]

I don't like the sounds of this.... For I am sure you have to be feeling worse then you say to miss this chance.Esp when the summer isn't here quite yet.... Your just going to have to get well sooner. Yup!

[redzone]

that would take a feat more daring than climbing Mt Everest I am afraid... lol but by the end of the year, watch out for dancing in the streets, leaping tall buildings and general uncontrolled gaity and healthiness... It is going to be one long and tough year...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ah those native american songs, the native american customs...the people who really understood the land and appreciated it, lived on it, but also with it.

great composition here of nostalgia, history...and the imagery in nature.

j.

[redzone]

thanks Jacob, I am glad to hear your words and appreciate when you visit... sorry it took so long to respond... be well my friend..