The shaman walks the medicine way
leaving no footprints.
The cry of the owl bids you follow.
Take up your staff, wrap up well in your cloak,
for the night is cold and the fog will poke
its chilly fingers
into every exposed inch of human skin,
seeking to steal some warmth
for itself.
Hush! for there be spirits here.
If you listen, you will hear
the heartbeat of an ancient cedar.
In its bark is the memory
of who you were a thousand years ago,
when it and you and the land
were young.
In the night sky
is written the promise
of who you are becoming
a thousand years from now.
Gaze well, and remember,
so when at last you meet,
you will recognize yourself.
There are dreamers, and there are
the ones being dreamed.
Awaken!
The journey of transformation
is the shedding of the false self
- the one who meets the world -
and the stripping away of everything
that is not essence, joy, wonderment,
trust and awe.
Peace
is knowing
all is as it is meant to be.
All we need do
is Surrender.
The mystical hooting of the owl
bids us safe passage
through this eery midnight world.
Hasten, for the shaman guide's cloak
is already swirling
with the swiftness
of his being gone.
One from 2013, my friends, posted here for the Poetry Pantry at Poets United. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Wow: We think we're alone but we're walking in a crowd of life--not ghosts--and we can choose to be of it freely and wholly or feel its occupants fade out of existence. Perhaps this is the most powerful expression of our condition that I have ever read!
ReplyDeleteThe owl has been a recurrent theme with you, I think Sherry. It is often associated with wisdom and in Bengal, it is also regarded as auspicious and associated with the goddess of wealth.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are keeping well
You always manage to capture the most amazing ideas in a nature oriented way. I like the wisdom that you've shared in this poem because it is nice to learn something every day. Then again that could just be an obsession of mine.
ReplyDeletein the night sky is written the promise of who you are becoming....i like that...i tink there is much to learn from nature...i like the early nod as well to leaving no footprints.....
ReplyDeleteAh, yes....peace is all as it is meant to be. Your poem definitely expresses that so very well, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you make us see and hear what nature has to say. Your wisdom is no different from that of a shaman.
ReplyDeleteThe owls are so long thought to be scary creatures by some really malicious bystanders but they're actually not. They are guardians of the night as you so neatly expressed here. I really like these whole flow of your thoughts here, Sherry. Fascinating!
ReplyDelete- ksm
so much richness in nature - so much life going on around us - seen and unseen - my fav part here is... There are dreamers, and there are
ReplyDeletethe ones being dreamed.... says so much...
I specially love this part Sherry:
ReplyDeletethe heartbeat of an ancient cedar.
In its bark is the memory
of who you were a thousand years ago,
when it and you and the land
were young.
There is wisdom in hearing the words of nature, in a dream or in reality ~ Thanks for the reminder ~
Grace
I love this, Sherry. I truly do.
ReplyDeleteAnd that false self can be so seductive!
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteThis speaks to my heart, there are indeed dreamers and dreamers whose souls are awakening. Just lovely my friend. I really needed this today.
Dreamers and those being dreamed....how will I be in a thousand years...one with the earth I hope....
ReplyDeleteSherry, you are such a blessing of synchronicity today my friend. I pray your cloak has no holes in it and your cedar staff holds the strength and wisdom of a millennium. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I loved the line about heartbeats in cedar
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect and an instant favourite. I found myself walking behind the shaman and losing myself in the surroundings created by your words. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful poem which speaks to me profoundly!
ReplyDeleteI actually took a University Class on Shamanism. They should add your poem to the next edition of the textbook!
ReplyDeleteIt so hard to hear what is real at times...but we must always try
ReplyDeleteSo much beautiful wisdom in your words Sherry. A reflection of what you have gained upon your journey upon the path. Truly lovely as always!!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful journey Sherry led by the hoot owl where the traveler breathes in ancient scents.
ReplyDeletethat would be so cool if we could hear the heartbeat of the trees... they are reaching up
ReplyDeleteThere is a great peace within your words. And I smile . . . . . . . .
ReplyDeleteWith your words I long to go out and hug a tree.. maybe I can catch the shaman.
ReplyDeleteA lovely poem, Sherry--a wonderful mixture of the naturalistic and the mystical. Thanks! (Manicddaily)
ReplyDeleteI dream of writing a story with you Sherry one day. How our ancient ancestors met and exchanged legends of old.
ReplyDeleteThat today live on to save mankind from their own undoing.
sherry, when i read your poetry, i feel so close to nature. and i feel the resounding compassion of a kindred spirit. beautiful work, like always.
ReplyDeletewe have a tree in the Sitka spruce outside the window, and she - he? keeps us company most evenings with her call ~
ReplyDelete