The Medicine wheel

Old Native American wisdom. We need to gather as one people to save earth and all people.

Wisdom of the Medicine wheel.
 


















(I have been lucky. Many kind Native American took me under their wing and taught me how to find peace.)
 
At the Mall I went to the so-call Native American store.
A Middle East man tried to sell me a China's made items.
I touched a Medicine Wheel.
 
I told the man.
"A proper Medicine Wheel has the power of the four winds."
I touched a  Dream Catcher.
"A real one would protect your spirit and keep bad dreams away."
 
He grins at me.
He didn't understand a word that I spoke.
He told me.
"Does the same things."
I leave the store with nothing.
 
Sitting with my Apache Friend outside the gate of Fort Hood, Texas.
I sat and listen to him.
His skin harden from the Texas sun.
I came and sat with him every Saturday for many months.

He had a story for every item he sold.
I brought him food and water.
His stories were passed on to him by family and elders.
 
He gave me a Medicine Wheel.
He rose up and made a circle with his hands.
He told me.  "All people are part of the circle of life."
 
"We all have a purpose."
With sadness in his voice.
"Us Apache and Native Americans were responsible to protect Nature.
 We did a poor job."
 
"The white people were responsible for the fire.
They shared their gift and now fire is held in every corner of the planet.
 Eyes looking at the ground.
Then he raise his  eyes and look to the sky.
 The fire was taught(Atomic and nuclear) too well."
 
"The black people held the strength, wisdom and honor.
The wisdom of the black people lost direction.
 We need their strength before we kill off all that is good."
 
"The yellow people have courage, leadership and clarity.
The gentle and calm souls will be necessary for this world to seek peace."
 
"The medicine wheel is a compass to all life.
We must know all four directions."
 
   At a Pow Wow in Texas.
 A few Native Americans danced and invited all to dance the dance of friendship.
 
A old Apache man moved around the circle.
Burning sage and blessing everyone who came today.
 
He welcome us.
He begin to speak.
"We were the last Americans allow to dance our Native dances.
We were the last allowed to speak our language in public.
We have not forgot.
We go on and hope for better days."
 
He blessed all of us and his kind eyes show respect for all.
He raise his hands and spoke to the sky.
"Teach us four winds.
Give us wisdom.
Teach us humility.
Show us clarity.
Allow us to trust our brothers."
 
I'm proud of my Ojibwa heritage.
I'm proud of my Mexican/white heritage.
The Medicine wheel showed us we are one.
We need to work together.
Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts.
 
Old Apache raised his hands to the sky.
Then create a full circle.
He moved slowly around  the inner circle and looked in all our eyes.
 
 
"We are one.
Let's pray for peace."
 
East wind-Yellow people-Path of light-Spiritual-courage.
West wind -Red people-Path of vision-physical-prayer
North wind-White people-Path of quiet-Mental-wisdom
South wind-Black people-Path of peace-natural-trust

 
                 (This is a view of many years of learning. Every teacher tells the story different. I believe we are one people. Peace will come when we learn to work together.)
                      Black, White, Red and Yellow are the four corners of the Medicine Wheel. All with important gifts to bring peace with each other and the planet.


                                     Coyote
 
 
 
 
 

Reviews

[just rose.]

i like how you incorporate social themes into this metaphysical concept and how you take the modern, removed, sort of ersatz treatment of the sacred out of the mall and into the hands of the creator and those who continue to create. a wonderful tale as always.

[Opposum]

At the top it seems some things are covered up by the picture, at least for me but on a better note the poems awsome, This is cool and will get huge ratings in the furture, Illways forget to rate

[dontwakeme]

This is one of the most powerful pieces I have ever read. Thank you for sharing, Thank you so much. I love it, and it touches me so deeply that I am crying and I can't stop...

[Gomer LePoet]

great story of ancient traditions, too bad different cultures show too much fear and not enough respect for each other. we have so much to teach each other and so much to learn from each other. Thanks for sharing Coyote :)

[AK]

Wow! Amazing poem! It is so strong wise and sagely. I lived it;)

[closed..acct]

Wow, I guess you can say you can learn anything from anyone.
Such a deep write, full of wisdom. I throughly enjoyed this write.

[Leslie Philibert]

This is a really good poem,full of wisdom and beauty,but it never preaches and even has moments of wry humour.It works both as a poem and as an account of an individual journey that also has relevance for all of us who live on the same planet.
Great.

[rosemary keogh]

hey i really enjoyed this. opened my eyes. brill love it.

[ghostofdawn]

I think there is much to be learnt from tribes such as the Apache who live far closer to nature than we can imagine. A well written and thoughtful poem.

[Helen Woodward]

Beautiful message Coyote, filled with solid and sage advice for all people. I love the native American philosophy...there is no waste.

The only issue you have is to do with tense...the time frame of certain words (verbs)...eg;
'Old Apache raise his hands to the sky.
Then create a full circle.
He move slowly around the inner circle and looks in all our eyes.'
Should be;
The old Apache RAISED his hands to the sky
Then CREATED a full circle
He MOVED slowly around the inner circle and LOOKED into everyone's eyes...

I hope you understand what I mean by TIME frame of certain verb use Coyote, it is so difficult when English is not your first language, but I must say that you do a great job regardless.
Wonderful piece, thank you...

Blesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[Emma Joy]

Just read this again, your words are as wise and gentle and beautiful as they were two years ago. Thank the dear Lord there are people like you in this sometimes sad world.