Canpasapa Wi

....a love poem...

Canpasapan Wi

 

 

Yesterday, as I sat on the deck,

time flowed in past tense

along Willow Creek.

I found myself lost,

in my coffee

and my memories of you.

 

A deer walked by,

followed by a wolf

and I followed them

into the morning mist.

Wearing my faded jeans,

torn at the knees,

my flannel shirt of dreams,

my medicine bag hung

around my neck,

I found myself staring at Ontelaunee’s waters

as the lake appeared

before the white man came.

 

It was a time

when animals spoke

and humans understood their words.

It was a time

when animals gave their lives

willingly in sacrifice

to keep the balance

and humans praised their lives

with song

and wearing their skins.

It was a time of hard life,

but the air was clean,

skies clear

and ancestors’ stories

were whispered in the stars.

 

On the night

that Canpasapa Wi

reflected full on the waters,

you came.

Removing your clothes,

you dove into the lake,

your brown skin shinning

in the moonlight.

Hidden, I watched,

then stole your clothes,

then hid again.

Angry, you shouted

for your clothes to appear.

Shyly, with head bowed,

I gave them to you,

but couldn’t hold in

a teasing laugh.

I knew then,

as you dressed

in a defiant, fearless sneer,

I would love you forever.

You would be my Cherry Moon lover.

 

Back on the deck,

my spirit dream broken,

my grandson asking,

“Pop-pop, you okay?

We are ready to go to Ontelaunee,

Lay flowers on the water

and hear you tell us again

of your Cherry Moon love,

of our long ago, great, great, grandmother.”

 

Aztec Warrior/redzone 8.1.22

Author's Note

....thanks for reading.... Canpasapa Wi is the name of the moon in July, given by the Lakota Sioux, it's meaning is 'Moon of cherries blackening' (ripening and darkening)...

Reviews

[Vol]

Redzone,
I love the sound and rhythm of your words, the wisdom of "Indian" lore and connection with the noble things of the earth. In my youth we all could claim threads and tiny chains that tied us to the spirit of the Earth whether or not we were of Native blood. My goodness, all humanity has lost our Cherry Moon Love.
Vol

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a beautiful reflection on the power of memory and the way that it can transport us to another time and place. The way you describe the deer walking by, followed by a wolf, and your journey into the morning mist is so vivid and evocative.

Your words touch on themes of love, sacrifice, and the connection between humans and nature. I am struck by the line "It was a time of hard life, but the air was clean, skies clear and ancestors' stories were whispered in the stars." It speaks to the way that we can find meaning and beauty in even the most difficult of circumstances.

Your poem is also a reminder of the importance of love and the way that it can transform our lives. The way you describe your Cherry Moon lover is so powerful. It speaks to the way that love can inspire us to be our best selves and to reach for the stars.

Thank you for sharing your words with us. They are a reminder of the power of poetry to touch our hearts and souls.

[redzone]

Once again, I think your review of my poem is better than the poem itself.... Thank you for this Bhuyanshi

we humans are capable of creating beauty amidst the most horrid conditions... just imagine if what could be accomplished in every human endeavor if our world was not so harsh; where humans were free, unfettered by systems of oppression and exploitation.... think what beauty we could create!!!!

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

My pleasure 😊 if you have time do check out my poems too. I would be grateful!

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Hello Da Howdy, Redzone,

Everyone should have a story such as this to tell their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren in sharing the the love of their live as that one special woman who changed their lives forever ...

In my life, that moment of knowing would love her forever began in that instant's moment when I offered her, her sister and cousin, a ride from Newman Park here in Smalltown, Texas ... When she made certain to slide into the front seat beside me, I knew we would be together for the rest of our lives with her as my wife and mother of my children ... Thus, in living with the grief of mourning of her passing, this excellently written Poem is most poignant to me in my life right now, and probably will be for many years to come ... Thank you for writing and sharing ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[redzone]

Thanks Marvin for your words and for your "story of your "forever love"...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the stories that mesmerize grand and great grands...
I never had even a grandpa to tell those stories...one was dead long before I was born, and one might as well have been dead...but your stories help to fill the gaps...
thank you, Curt.
j.

[redzone]

I only knew one of my grandmothers... we lived with her for more than 12 years before she died.... I actually did have a long ago grandmother, a Native woman on my father's side of the family.... I often image her speaking to me, making sure that I never forget my heritage and how to be a human being....

Thank you Jacob, your words always mean a lot and I appreciate them and your visits to my poetry

[Sami Khalil]

I love the reference to all these precious and meaningful stories to the poet, his tribe and people. They hold it dear to the heart. They pass down the stories. I like the teasing and playful story of the lady.
You cherish prudery all of that.
Wonderful...

[redzone]

Thank you Poet Sami, for your words of wisdom and kindness.... so glad you came, read, and enjoyed!!!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome sir Redzone. Glad you still around.