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 Americans 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 Eastern man tried to sell me a Chinese made items.  I touched a Medicine Wheel.
 
I told him:  "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 grinned at me. He didn't understand a word that I have spoken. He told me. "It does the same things." I left the store with nothing.
 
I sat with my Apache Friend and his family outside the gate of Fort Hood, Texas. I sat and listened to him.  His skin hardened by 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, he had sadness in his voice. We 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. His eyes looked at the ground, then he raised his eyes and looked to the sky. The fire was taught Atomic and nuclear power too well."
 
"The black people held the strength, wisdom and honour. 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 of us to join the dance of friendship. A old Apache man moved around the circle. Burned sage and blessed everyone who came.
 
He welcomed us. He began to speak.

"We were the last Americans allowed to dance our Native dances.
We were the last allowed to speak our language in public.
We have not forgotten. 
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 the 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 created 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 differently. 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 to achieve peace with each other and the planet.


                                     Coyote

 
 

Author's Note

If mistakes. Please tell me. Never too old to learn.

Reviews

[Neville]

What a truly inspirational and important poem we have here. Until now, I did not appreciate the true significance of the 'Medicine Wheel'
I have learn't many things this evening and am subsequently both humbled and very grateful to you my dear friend Coyote.................All Good Things, Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville. The Medicine. A symbol of peace. One people and one earth.

[Neville]

Amen to that..........

[lightsong]

That was totally so wonderful to read! those kind of subjects I will listen to so happily, I want to thank You for taking the time to write it and share it, with an easy language that goes smoothly to this girl's ears, considering English being not my native language.

Thank You again, I assure You I really enjoyed reading Your words.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Light. I appreciate the comment.

[Patrick Ramsey]

You are dripping with wisdom and history. Some of your poetry triggers a loss of words. This is one of them. It feels very raw.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Christopher. I appreciate the comment.

[Norma M Sutton]

Thank you for reminding me once again how we are more alike then we are different.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear friend. Thank you for reading my work. I appreciate the comment.

[EJ's Horror]

That is very Beautiful, it's a proud peice that demonstrates equality, you've taken me away there, did you come up with this entirely yourself? Or was the medicine wheel creed a Native American belief? Forgive my ignorance, I know very little about the Apache.

[Coyote Poetry]

This is real history and Native American culture. A lot of stories adding up to the term. One people and one earth. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[EJ's Horror]

Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect, Coyote, you're welcome :)

[Coyote Poetry]

No disrespect given. I read and write to learn. If we are lucky. Learn something new everyday.

[Suhd]

I really liked the novel style in which this poem is written. It's a good one too.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

Excellent. I too hold great respect for the wisdom of the American Indians, Though I have only a small amount of that blood in my veins, it helps me remember the before time.

[Coyote Poetry]

Can't forget my friend. Old earth need some TLC. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate

[Zugzwang]

This is a great story and full of truth. You have a way of getting right to the core of things using simple language. It reminds me of Hemingway.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading. I do appreciate the kind words.

[Vasilees Sybissyl]

This is extraordinary. Honestly, I have no words. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful work of yours.

Love,
Vasilees.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Vasilees for reading and the comment. We need to be kind to each other and protect nature.

[Mr Dunne Poetry]

Hello my friend! Extrodinary as ever! How are u?

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm doing fine my friend and I hope you are doing well.

[Mr Dunne Poetry]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[duff]

I feel more educated after reading this and anytime a writer can do that I applaud them so thank you for that. It's fun being a sponge and soaking up your knowledge. It boasts wisdom and I am a fan of this piece of art. Great work. You crushed it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Duff. I appreciate the comment.

[duff]

You are very welcome. My pleasure.