Long time back, the antelope roamed freely here.
Long time back, our elders hid within these walls,
the old ones who stayed,
the ones who would not leave their home
to go on the Long March, where so many died,
so many trusts and hearts were broken.
Long time back until today,
the people of this land
do not enter this holy place
without prayers of respect,
prayers for protection.
We call this place Tse bighanilini,
place where the water runs through.
When the monsoons come,
be wary of your footsteps.
Listen to the voices in the walls
which whisper to us
when it is time to leave.
When we enter, this is our church.
A thousand years of prayers
still echo here.
We will take you there,
but your heart must meet ours
in the going in, and the coming out.
for Hannah's Transforming Friday: The Antelope Caves
My friend, Lynette Killam, photographed these canyons extensively. You can see more of her photos of the Antelope Canyons at The Imaginative Traveler.
So very wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful reminder of what lies sacred beneath our feet, even in present times.
ReplyDeleteListen to the voices in the walls
which whisper to us
Yes the land of Navajo is special.. I have been to many of the places. but never to Antelope canyon.. I think the spirit of the people would linger in those walls.. wonderful pictures and imagery..
ReplyDeleteYou bring such a resonance of sacred whisper through your poem, Sherry and that you brought the ancient names made me smile. Thank you so much for joining the challenge today!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe can love to be with Mother Nature, but here we have her critters escorting us around in it !!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't be better. I love the pictures, thank you.
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I would have loved to see Antelope Canyon, but I wouldn't have been able to get around there, so I sent my personal photographer. I'm so glad he went. I had already seen Lynette's photos, and I knew he'd just love it.
ReplyDeleteHugs, K
they are so like a church... music must sound wonderful
ReplyDeleteso very beautiful...this place you describe, my heart wishes to walk across. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the photos that you used, Sherry. I think I remember Lynnette from some long ago poetry days, don't I? There is so much that is sacred outside of church...your poem gives testament to that.
ReplyDelete" . . . your heart must meet ours . . . "
ReplyDeleteTo hear the whispers and feel the story ....
Ah...lovely, Sherry. You have perfectly captured the spirit of the canyon. Even filled with tourists, there was a feeling of peace and oneness emanating from the sandstone caves that was bright and palpable. Certainly one of the holiest places I've been fortunate enough to visit...
ReplyDeleteThis is sacred land... it does feel that way.
ReplyDeletePease
ReplyDeleteEvery answer asks a more beautiful question. --e e cummings
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
It seems like a shrine resonating with prayers.
ReplyDeleteI so want to visit, and pay my respects ~
ReplyDeleteyou speak like and are in touch much like my forefathers/ancestry of earth people, me being of indian (Aztec) heritage understand the inherent need to be in touch with ones surrounding both in nature and supernatural in order to become that which is before us, after us
ReplyDeletegracias mi amiga for your continued reminder. for keeping us 'grounded'
I love your whispers!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Yes, we have lost all that is sacred...what can help us if we can't hear the whispers?
ReplyDeleteoh wow... that is breathtaking... really a felt magic in the pics and an awe that you capture beautifully in your words...
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful to visit sacred space. The photos are stunning and your words make it prayerful.
ReplyDeleteSherry I have wanted to visit these canyons...I have visited many spots held sacred by tribes from long ago...I can feel the sacred truth held there, and it is what keeps me true to the land where I reside....this is just a fabulous tribute to our sacred land everywhere.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. You emphasize the spirituality of this place..the respect and attitude one must have when entering and leaving...
ReplyDelete