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.
An oldie from 2013, when I had more hope about the transformation of consciousness. Yet I can feel it on the air........shared with earthweal's 55th open link.
A mystical journey indeed. This is beautiful Sherry. Like an embracing hush.
ReplyDeleteA magical poem with owls, perfect, Sherry! I found myself listening for ‘the heartbeat of an ancient cedar’ with its ancient memories. It’s morning, so there are no stars to read, but I can look tonight.
ReplyDeleteHere is what Baudelaire called invitation to voyage, rapt in the owl's hoot and the shaman scoot through the woods. The final stanza is absolutely magical. I think these earthweal open links are important for connecting us with the believing heart of our past ... Recalling the invitation. It's still there.
ReplyDeleteGaze well, and remember,
ReplyDeleteso when at last you meet,
you will recognize yourself.
- how much I love this poem and especially these lines!
In the night sky
ReplyDeleteis written the promise
of who you are becoming
a thousand years from now.
Wow....thank you for this poem.
Magical, Sherry - that swirl of the Shaman's cloak gave me shivers!
ReplyDeleteThe shaman walks a different path, visionary of the night. The owl stands watch. The last verse could stand alone, the cloak of mysticism leads one onward.
ReplyDeleteThis poem has a bit of magic! Beautiful.
ReplyDelete