Saturday, February 27, 2016

OF SHAMANS AND HOOTY-OWLS



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 eerie 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.

28 comments:

  1. " The journey of transformation is the shedding of the false self"...Oh Sherry your words always hold so much wisdom and beauty sandwiched together. Your journey has made you a stronger poet indeed.

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  2. Love this poem no matter how often I read it. "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."

    Awesome!

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  3. Sherry, I feel like, you're describing the journey, which I am walking, right now. And, I'm sure, that others can express similar feelings, to this transformational poem.

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  4. Thanks and the same to you. Lovely Words. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Oh yes, all is like it is meant to be...and good to surrender to it, as we can't fight it, can we? You have really given the reader a feeling of peace as they read your words.

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  6. That has a lovely feel to it. A call to the heart of mythology.

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  7. This makes me want to go out into the forest and just listen... Words like this make long for trees.

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  8. Reading your words how I want to be absorbed into that world you write about. It always seems so safe and secure in natures embrace.

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  9. I so enjoy these journeys with you to the soul Nature...so refreshing and invigorating for the mind...

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  10. In the night sky
    is written the promise
    of who you are becoming
    a thousand years from now.

    Sigh.. such a gorgeous image :D

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  11. In its bark is the memory
    of who you were a thousand years ago... been having that same feeling these last few weeks as I have been visiting several temples from the 9th and 10th centuries.. beautifully written Sherry.

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  12. I love the title - who can resist a hooty owl..i love the verse about peace and -There are dreamers, and there are the ones being dreamed - feels like a story and poem in and of itself..another wise and engaging trip into the trail xo

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  13. Another wonderful, magical piece. Owls are so special - and so is this poem.

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  14. The shaman's path is not an easy one to walk. Dreaming of awakening or awakening to dreams...beautiful words and I am feeling them this day.

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  15. Sherry, this is enchanting magic. Love the interaction between the spirit of woman and the spirit of everything that is. I closed my eyes to hear the "heartbeat of an ancient cedar" to read the promise written in the night...

    I love, love, love this. ♥

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  16. Thank you for taking me with you on this shamanic path, under ' shaman guide's cloak' . Enjoyed so much!

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  17. Wow. This is an absolutely gorgeous poem Sherry. I love its mystical tone and words. The idea of recognizing yourself a thousand years from now - Wow again. Mystic thoughts come from mystics.

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  18. So, so beautiful...I like this spirit—the holding off, the willingness to surrender ...nature's heartbeat. Oh, just love the thoughts that dance in your imagination, Sherry.Take a bow!

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  19. Wowser the movement in this poem is wonderful... right up to the swirling ... Brilliant

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  20. Oh how I love when the heartbeat of an ancient cedar and my heartbeats are synched. Journeys...so many poems about journeys...the changing of the seasons and growing into the new season - spring - shedding of winter thoughts and growing new. Wonderful poem, as always.

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  21. Love it, mystical journeys welcome to the awakening enjoyed this very much.

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  22. i got stuck in the cold, but i need to re read to gaze

    an enchanting piece; have a good Sunday

    much love...

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  23. An interesting invitation to mystical rumination...there are many manifestations of the "other" world in these images.
    Steve K

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  24. I love the inner meaning here Sherry. It was like sharing of one's experience and life to new generation. The poem is peaceful and full of contentment.

    So happy to read you again, it's been a while.

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  25. I love the wisdom and beauty inherent in every part of this, but especially find this part so full of hope, "In the night sky is written the promise of who you are becoming." Such lovely writing, Sherry :-)

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  26. the force and awe of nature is evident in your poem. shamans and owls, they are all wise. :)

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  27. A beautiful, well-drawn, eloquent poem. The wonderful mysticism, running through the piece, purrs along as steady as strong heartbeats. There is a sense of sureness and moving forward on a mysterious - but compelling path. This is an enchanting, narrative - but no missteps, here. The story, and the message, come through as true and straight as an arrow.

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  28. Holy Cow! or Owl!
    This is a fine piece of writing. Bravo!!!
    ZQ

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