Ancient warrior

Blood cannot change. Sometime must go back to your place of birth to learn peace.

                     

   Ancient warrior

I drove to the forest.
Away from the city.
I took my grandson with me to learn the spirit of the forest.
We walked deep into the safety of the woods and
the friendship of the wind.
I watched the birds and animals fly and roam free.

I found a river.
The water was strong and still clean from man's pollution.
I took out my sage. I lit the sage.
Said a quiet prayer.

I walked along the river.
Three year old Grandson followed.

"Spirit of life and death.
Please give me strength and wisdom.
Protect the water, the earth and the sky.
Allow the spirit of the hawk and wolf to send wisdom
to the leaders of this world.
So much war and violence.
Hate had overtook kindness."

I heard a quiet whisper in the wind.
"Ancient Warrior. Put your feet into the river.
Refresh your body and heart. Allow nature to absorb your pain."

I put my feet into the water. My grandson does the same.
I looked to the sky and whispered.
"Thank you spirit of life and death.
Thank you for the drinking water.
Thank you for the green earth.
Thank you for the clean air."

I raised my hand to the sky.
I allowed the sage smoke to spread around me and my grandson.
I knew the truth. I relearn many times in my life.

"We are one people on one planet.
We must live together in peace.
We must know peace for the sake of the children."

People tell me.
Man is foolish.
He cannot know peace. He cannot live without war.
Will a nuclear weapon killing a million people?
Will their screams of cities show the way to peace?

Old ancient warrior watches his grandson run through the forest.
He wondered what kind of world did he leave for his grandchild?

                            Coyote
                            Sept. 2012

Author's Note

People tell me. War is a part of us. One day when we are all dead. What will be remembered about the race of man?

Reviews

[Kaylor Mason]

That's a very good question. That's one reason I became a writer, rather than a soldier. Wars come, and wars go, and soldiers always die in the end and become dust . . . but our written words are eternal, and they live on forever. As necessary as soldiers are to society (and as much as I admire them,) something tells me being a writer is more of a lasting legacy than being a soldier

[Caradoc]

And when we are all dead and gone, who then will read the words of hearts? Even though we may leave our legacies in stone, as did our ancient ancestors, who might be left to wonder at our passing?

Depressing I know, but as a writer, I think on these questions often.

-Caradoc

[ErosNthanatos]

Symbolism...things that I love are water, wise wolf, flowing river, 2 generations. I love it.

[trainwreck]

This was awesome. As always, you are one of my favorite poets on this site. You raise unaskable questions with clarity and grace. I love pondering on your work; thank you for sharing this piece of art with me.

[Mic]

Beautiful, and food for thought for many.

[David Scott]

Very nice...
I felt like I was listening to a wise chief tell his stories...
A poem of finding the truths in nature.

I LOVE THIS..!!

[Frieda P]

This is a magnificent piece. Good question, wish I or someone had the answers to that one...are you native american by chance?

[Valentine]

How true this is..I ask myself the same question almost daily..what will be left for the future generations..Good job on the write..Valentine

[Rachel Fitzgerald-Feele..]

Loved the being at one with nature, nurture, higher wisdom vibe of this piece

[Renée]

Wisdom in your writing as always... My Faith gives me a different view of what will be....although greed, power & anger will do what it will.. I still pray for peace...

[Becky C Strukamp]

Your writings are such learning tools and lessons we all need to take heed of...you are very reflective of life and what we need to be thankful of..

Wonderful Coyote...simply wonderful!!