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

[princess elie]

good question. after reading your poem, i wonder if man could ever learn true peace.

[Coyote Poetry]

Will take people who do not fear love and friendship. Somehow we must change the thought pattern of our leader. A smile and a handshake can open the door to peace. Sure could use a Bill Clinton today.

[princess elie]

agree with a smile and a handshake.. perhaps, peace is something that people should realize by themselves.

[Coyote Poetry]

You would think? Most people tell me. War is norm. I ask them. Do you want your children to fight in war? They answer no. Then i tell them you better fight for peace or your child may fight and died for our foolishness.

[Priyankaabhilaashi]

Good..!!

[Craba]

Liked that 2nd stanza, this is deep and powerful.
Simply amazing!

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

very thought-provoking write...
i also enjoy the mythical feel brought into this by the setting and the dialogue

[Junger]

truly this war that we all carry is a burden but it must have been taken since we are created, this poem is a massively wonderful way of what would remember us after we are gone but it has a true value and great imagery.

[Dean]

very good point, and some powerful thoughts we all must share. Thank you for sharing yours!

[*** Hey Jude***]

This is a tender write my Friend. Time spent with Grand Babes is so pure; shown as you express in this write that is touched with love. You always give wonderful visuals; allowing all to “see” the Spirt of Life held within Natures Glory.
Your pen always leaves pause for thought! Very nice ~ :-)

[Shalini Dinesh (Poet's ..]

A very good question and if at all there is a place untouched by man on this earth and then we much call it heaven on earth like the beautiful river in the forest, if only there's no war, if only there's no racism, if only there's no difference then there would be peace and only then can we sense God living with us, among us.

[The They]

When i was living in Ecuador, i spent a couple months with some wiccan pagans and participated in their rituals. A lot of the language and imagery in this poem reminds me of the tone and rhetoric that they used during their rights.

[Suavis_Umbra]

amazing... I like how almost the grandfather becomes the monopolistic symbol of nature at some point in the poem and it actually makes you believe it as well. none surpass nature.