Heartbeat of Mother Earth

Native American Pow Wow are events where we socialize and bond with our community. Pondering my experience of traveling to Pow Wows during this beautiful summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers offered,

sent on the wings of

eagles

I dance to bless my people!

moccasin-ed feet

tap the ground calling upon

Mother Earth

to bless her children

gathered today

under the protection of

Father Sky's blue canopy.

Eagle staff and US flags

brought in by Warrior Society

memories of battles

etched into their faces.

all together we

acknowledge and honor their bravery!

Songs of the past

remind me of the

plight and victory of ancestors-

their stories

captured within songs.

We are united by the

drumbeat

celebrating the windfall,

grieving the loss,

observing rites of passage

“initiations”,

"name-giving”

and “give-aways”

to show our gratitude

for the support of the village

and the

celebration of life!

Sunlight plays

upon the smiling faces of

children

as elders look on... 

proudly adjusting new regalia

beaming

as they watch their grandchildren

dance around the circle.

newborn babies

carried in cradle boards

introduced to all

Tears, laughter and counsel shared by kin

Young men and women compete

displaying their fast, intricate new moves!

focused

exerting

themselves to place in contest,

hoping

to add new admirers

to owl-dance with that night!

fresh cool breeze lingers

playing with shawls, hair and feathers.

The tantalizing

delicious smell

of fry-bread and taco's

fill the air.

Drummers bring out the dancers with

double-beats,

round dance and contest songs.

singing for all to respond in movement

as daylight turns to dusk.

 

Evening meals shared

and packed up

as porcupine head roaches

 are tightened down,

feathers checked

and hair re-braided

as children line up excited to dance-in

for the evening session

socializing into the

night under starry heavens,

the people visit and gather strength

in the company of

relatives and friends.

They renew friendships.

Summer traditions practiced

all over Indian country.

We are still here

We are united in

song

dance

prayers

for a bright new future!

 

Never forgetting our past or the

sacrifices made so that we could survive.

I am one part of this whole community

Soaring in flight with the

heartbeat of Mother Earth!

with moccasin-ed feet

I dance for the people

my family

myself

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[emmajoy]

And how you should dance, my friend! What a wonderful piece of writing! You took me into a world I've never seen and probably never will but, what colour it brings, what history and pride. I've said before that some people have the ability to paint with words and you most certainly have!
I don't know why but these phrases jumped out at me, 'to owl-dance with that night! ~ fresh cool breeze lingers ~ playing with shawls, hair and feathers.'
Many, many thanks for sharing such a wonderful post, Eileen.

[ice]

First Nation rituals have always intrigued me. I have been to several Pow Wows, and loved them. What really amazes
me is the cleansing ritual of the dancers..I felt cleased as well, just being a pagan bystander..that burning sweetgrass smoke drifted over to me, and I felt cleaner, more able to join in on the movements of the dancers feet.
---and the sound of the flute
the throb of the drum

earth colors, sky colors

I saw all of those wonderful things in your poem.

[Vinod Kumar U K]

Beautiful write, Our mother pasted her middle age some weakness happened here and there which did by her children and herself also, Nice dedicated work thanks for sharing,

[Jaweena...Eileen Quinta..]

thank you for reading my writing!
Chris, I am learning...still working on form and style but with time it will come more easily.
John- do you remember the frybread I use to make back in High School? I am a little better at it now! wished you were near so that I could feed you and your sweetheart! This photo is from Post Falls Pow Wow, I had so much fun traveling with my sisters!!

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

I got hungry when you were talking about the Frybread!
Lovely poem, Eileen. You took me to a Pow Wow, tonight. In my mind, i can hear the beautiful sounds...
AheeHee!