Thursday, July 8, 2010

SPIRIT IN THE STONE

[image by Anton Malykh at kitoy.ru]

October 22, 1996


Spirit in the stone,
you sing to me
of bygone centuries
and ancient mystery.
Once you sat with other Grandfathers in the fire
in times that were so close to life and death.
Water splashed on stone and in the vapors
Spirit-prayers rose upon the Old Ones' breath.
The sacred smoke carried the prayers higher -
words of trust in sustenance and seasons -
up to the Spirit-world on wings of fire,
full of a gratitude that did not ask for reasons.
You once ringed communal fires upon the common,
where families came to take hot coals away,
carried them home to light their own hearth-fires
for needed warmth to keep the dark at bay.
You have known the ocean's roar, ice floe, volcano.
You have been a temple in another land.
Water and fire and earth and ice have honed you
til now you come and fit into my hand.
You connect my heart with all that has a spirit:
all that lies upon the ground and all that flies,
the Standing People and the winged ones,
those breathing peace and those soaring the skies.
Your ancient presence speaks an untold story,
has witnessed centuries of joy and pain.
I place you back on earth in testimony
to all that passes, all that will remain.

9 comments:

  1. Sherry,
    Beautifully written poem. Nature how lovely.
    Pamela

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  2. Just beautiful..nature and you have become one spirit it is so evident in your writing....always a treasure to read like lifting a stone in the forest and finding another world ....bkm

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  3. My favorite lines:

    Your ancient presence speaks an untold story,
    has witnessed centuries of joy and pain.
    I place you back on earth in testimony
    to all that passes, all that will remain.

    Beautifully written, Sherry!

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  4. What a wonderful poem, Sherry. I love the way you connect with nature and with ALL human ancestors!

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  5. As an aside, how is your sweet dog doing?

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  6. ...Your ancient presence speaks an untold story,
    has witnessed centuries of joy and pain.
    I place you back on earth in testimony
    to all that passes, all that will remain
    ...

    ...enjoyed this piece...these lines made me smile. (^_^)

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  7. This was quite beautiful. I really enjoyed it.

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  8. Sherry,
    A beautiful poem which should endear a respect for all that we find on this earth. Ours just to borrow.....and then return.

    Best wishes, Eileen :)

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  9. A wonderful poem Sherry, I've missed you work since I've been away.

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