Sheila Williams ~ Singing Cloud

SHADOW DARK!

Brother moon smiles gently, above the mountain stark
long ago says the story teller, truth came from the heart.

In that time no drum was sounding, Mother Earth was shadow dark
there was no children’s laughter, no music and no dance.

Selu, was chosen as Mother to us all, her female children learned from her to smile
Grandmother Sun she asked to rise, bathing us in warmth and goodness from above.

“Here” said she to her young, plant the seed into the ground
watch over and tend well my daughters, and your People will not starve.

To her we are connected, her cycles of life we share
like her the woman suffers, and in agony brings forth life.

The grandmothers she gathered, our history to tell
keep faithfully these lessons, that are gifted you this night.

Creator sent us fire, Sacred symbol of a continuing circle
this life ours to forever tend, a true offering of love.

Lands green and full of growing things; waters sweet and pure;
animals in abundance willing with their lives to share.

Each human had a duty, each equals in their tasks
into their hands were given, the tending of their world.

Treat her as your mother; give always your respect
show honor to each other, your children and Elders you hold dear.

Take only what you need each day and offer up a prayer of thanks;
care for those who are weaker, with gentleness and understanding.

Forgive each other your mistakes, think carefully before you speak
words are the most deadly, of any arrow that you loose.

Watch the little kin the animals, keep in your hearts the lessons they teach
live your lives with joy and song, both body and spirit keep clean.

Many were the lessons, and they are kept to this day
for more were the gifts, that were so freely given.

Connected is the human, to every living thing
when that is forgotten, the balance of life is forfeit.

Chaos is the price, death and bloody hate
the killing of your brothers, be it spirit or flesh.

Easy are the rules, so simple to follow
light is the burden, our Creator has laid on us.

And so I ask my fellows, why are they so hard to obey
why do we find it so easy, to reach out and destroy the beauty?

Why must we walk this path in pain, our hearts so shadow dark
hungering for something, blood always the final cost?