December Cold

....winter is here, can spring be far behind??

December Cold

 

 

Tahecapsun Wi was a ghost

in the morning’s cold wind,

it’s light whispered to the snow

as I walked the arroyo

to the sweat lodge and

healing scent of sage.

 

The world is out of balance,

as skin walkers

and jesters

have seized the mesa

enticing coyote

to play tricks

on Kokopeli and his flute.

Some witches are just evil.

 

As the steam begins to cleanse,

I realize it will take

the whole tribe

to drive them from the mesa.

New arrows will be made,

lances adorned,

faces, warrior painted,

as everyone,

men, women, children

are needed to storm the heights.

 

As I add more water to the hot stones,

the steam thickens, and

my wolf spirit howls

to Tahecapsun Wi.

 

Healed and balanced,

I face the four directions

and hear December’s moon whisper,

“Today is a good day to die,

we have a world to win.”

 

Aztec Warrior/redzone 11.23.20

Author's Note

.....thanks for reading....

Reviews

[barleygirl]

What a delightful & original way to offer up a message of hope for our dark times! Always love your way of incorporating Native themes, specially well-done here. Kokopelli has gotten mixed up, as you say, since we have only had a half inch of rain so far this season (starts July 1) & it's looking as if this 10-year drought will continue. Since I'm on a shallow well in the mountains, I thank Great Spirit every day that water still comes out of my tap, even if it can be a little moldering at times *wink! wink!* Thank you for your gift of hope, which is in short supply these days. You've painted this with all the sensory intensity to carry even your most jaded readers away (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Arundass TP]

beautiful lines, wonderful poem, nicely written. good work.

[Sami Khalil]

Nothing like the wisdom of the ancients. With reverence to the Great Spirit and nature, they experienced many things and learned a lot. I love how your poetry take us to those times and which all apply to our modern eras. They are timeless as your poetry that reflects that.
Just came back from visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy horse, Badlands and Custer park and I could see the influence the Natives had and enjoyed for millennia.

[Patricia Wedel]

May I add... I do agree... “we have a World to Win”. truly, Pat

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, Curt... the Indian tribes knew the weather and the evil spirits... I wish I knew more... my son is married to a Navajo lady who gave birth to two of my granddaughters.. ages six and eight. Robert married a bit later and Leilani is
About forty. They are beautiful girls and are also learning the ways of their ancestors. Winter is here with December dreams of Snow. The Winds know the mysterious secrets of the Spirits. Your poetry is mellow and your wisdom is written in the Wind. gently, Pat

[redzone]

thank you Pat for your wonderful comment and for the story of your daughter-in-law and grandchildren... In Navajo tradition it is through the mother that the bloodlines are drawn and past down.... please say Yá’át’ééh to Leilani and your son Robert... and do you know what Clan she is from??

I hope you and your family find balance in the world, and the beauty above and below....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think it may be a good day to die if we feel at peace with ourselves and our God.
When we have finally reached some understanding of where we are in life...and why we are in life.
This is a very inner spiritual write.
nicely done.
j.

[redzone]

yes, exactly Jacob, when we see what our lives mean and how that meaning is to value what is right and true and for the betterment of humanity and the planet we live on...

[Lydia Shutter]

Curt, your Native American poetry is multi-layered. Not sure that it is ever "a good day to die", but the spirit of moving ahead and being unafraid is one we can all use. I can almost see the steam and feel its welcoming heat. I hear the howling of the wolf spirit.....a powerful write. Such a "nice" write. Lydi**

[redzone]

no one wants to die, even people who commit suicide have second thoughts, leave "hesitation marks".... it is more the recognition and willingness to fight against injustice, to change the way things are and knowing in your heart that there is always a price to pay for such actions... the saying its self comes from the Oglala Lakota chief Long Dog (according to wiktionary), but it is a sentiment and culture that was entwined in all Native American tribes.... people today do not as a rule have these values... maybe for gold and oil and power, but not for what's moral and just, what's good of everyone and the planet....

I am glad you see that spirit of "moving ahead", unafraid, thank you for this and for the "nice" comment....

[Ruth]

Reminds me or has the essence of a life once know, the lack of fear or rather the acceptance of fear to move forward and battle for the good, return the balancing light and justice for the world...your poetry has a powerful message within it and always delivers a punch where needed...you have held the light for many lifetimes it seems :)

[redzone]

I like to think that my words (in poetry and elsewhere) have meaning, telling our stories, sharing our world with each other... and in standing against the wrongs done to both people and our planet... many times in doing this some have paid the price of life... "today is a good day to die" is as you say, the recognition that we must fight to end injustice, and willingness to accept that what we do matters, matters a great deal... thanks Ruth for seeing this not only in the poem, but in life, not everyone does...