The trees, draped in mist-shawls,
are waiting.
Bear, curled into the root
of Grandfather Cedar,
dreams of fish and berry.
Wolf, fleet and shimmering,
pads the forest floor, shape-shifter,
traveler from the time of the ancients,
who knew how to live with the wild.
On the jagged branch of a crag,
Owl surveys her domain through yellow eyes:
messenger from the otherworld,
oracle, harbinger, soothsayer,
feathered prophet.
She waves her feathery wing.
Eagle, raven, wolf stop still
and listen.
The spirits of the ancient ones
draw near.
Owl speaks once, and then falls silent.
The animals look at each other
with sad, knowing eyes.
They have been given a message
about the Two-Leggeds that pains them.
There will be death, destruction.
Their fates are intertwined.
One day all the shining souls
of forest and city
will rise, a misty vapor
along the singing river,
and the world will
begin again.
Am sharing this with the Tuesday Platform at Real Toads.
It is possible, it seems now, we have fallen down the "rabbit hole," so deep there is not way out...
ReplyDeleteA sad truth so beautifully spoken, and yes I can see the animals look at each other with sad, knowing eyes. Hopefully there can be change, even if it is slow, and late. I love the way you give nature such a beautiful voice Sherry. It comes alive and speaks in your poetry!!
ReplyDeleteA tragic reality that is yet to befall upon us.. eloquently spoken. Your nature poems are truly inspiring, Sherry 💞
ReplyDeleteI to wonder if we have gone to far... where is the point of no return
ReplyDeleteI hope all the shining souls will rise and begin anew and this time, stick to the vision.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered... if other animals and trees (always so smarter than we are), look at us with pity (and a bit of rage).
ReplyDeleteGone, like the morning mist, by noon. This i not a new prophecy, but even the animals seem to take it more seriously. I like (can't enjoy the tragedy of it, though) seeing us through their eyes.
ReplyDeleteNice one Sherry
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Your new masterpiece!
ReplyDeleteI too think your words a masterpiece. A beautiful write of a very real (scary) possibility...
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Yes, Sherry, I hear them too...
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Sherry, Nature shines in your words and becomes more human than many human beings. The so-called the "Wild" is not so for Mother Nature is wiser than man. Animals as messengers and prophets: you know their souls because you have shared yours with one of them. Your poem predicts destruction, but also a new beginning. Will man finally learn from his mistakes and from Nature...? Bravo, wild woman. A hug <3
ReplyDeleteSo right Sherry..for the world to go on, this destructive species has to depart...depressing reflection of who we have become.
ReplyDeleteThe owl knows. But it's like all the animals resign to their doom. What else can they do, I guess? The images of that first stanza or amazing! And lastly, this reminds me of some YA books that my daughter reads. They refer to humans as "two-legs." And the two-legs mess up everything.
ReplyDeleteHarsh truth...we are not so far from total annihilation.
ReplyDeleteI do hope a day does not come when owls and bears are just a memory of what the Earth once was!
ReplyDeleteMother earth and nature starting again... I truly believe we humans can never destroy her completely but we can ourselves. We can damage, but I think we are not more powerful in the end. At least I hope not.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my sister's poem. I appreciate it. She said she tried to comment but it didn't work -- she new at blogging so sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteLove the poem. It reminds me of Native American mythology for some reason.
Mary (Wilds of Idaho)