Finding High Ground

There is no place to cross the river, here. Waters rushing fast and pulling everything along with it. This is the way it is after heavy rain or thaw. No place to cross the river.

No where to skirt the fire, here. All around the flames lick old cedars, catching the oils of the tree so that the hot charged flicks of flare jump up and consume fast and faster. No where to skirt the fire.

No shelter from the wind, here. Across the high desert and relentless whistling here. No crossing it now its formless piercing flow. No one can see where the force pushes from, but..............no shelter from the wind.

Sometimes, if we wait, the water slows. Sometimes, if we wait, the fire ebbs. Sometimes, if we wait, the wind dies. And, sometimes, we take another way.

Grandfather, I will take another way.

Standing North Wind - Grandfather Kiwetenohk

The wind drives the snow into the Southwest from the Northeast. Grandfather whistles, I can hear him laugh. Sleep! Little ones, bears, raccoons, opposum, squirrel, wolf, coyote, cats. Sleep!
What freezes now will thaw in time. Six weeks until the seeds shake and Granmother in the East begins to wake us. Sleep! If you sleep deep then you will remember what you need to know.
If you stay awake through this winter's night, the secret of tomorrow will be lost. Sleep! Healing comes to those who Sleep!

Seven years since I have seen your face, Grandmother, Mother of my spirit.
I say your name three times and call your spirit back to me, but I know that the revolutions of the earth have taken you to the place where you cannot hear my earth voice. Like the rattle of dry leaves my own voice comes back to me - and reminds me that I must try to remember what you taught me. It is so easy to forget the wisdom and to fall upon the river of tears that bears this life to its end. Easier to stop on the banks and remember a way that you taught.

This is for my friend who will go far away. You will know us when we light our fire and sing your song. Tell me your song so you will know us when we sing it. Sing your song for me, my friend, so you can hear it in the mist when I call it back to you so that you do not get lost.
Love can fit inside the song and life can fit inside my drum. Sing for us now so that we know you in your song. All four directions know my song, all six directions make my song. We are the song and we are the singer.

Kiwetinohk

Kiwetinohk Enipawit (Standing North Wind) - you came visiting today. You remind me that the Winter is just close by and to cut what plants still stand for eating. A few more days until we rest. Just a few. Grandfather thank you for the visit. We will talk when there is not so much to prepare. I will see you once again in the twilight dreams where the Northern Lights dance and where my mind comes closer to where the worlds meet. The place between Where I Am Most Afraid and Where I Know Peace Lives.

Grandfather says go your way and I will remember you, love you as you are.
When he walked away it was because I had gone from him first, and I swore he had left me.
Forgive me Grandfather, for leaving you alone. You were the one who knew me.
We abandon the elders and when they die we miss them. It is right to go out on our own, it is the way. But, every once in awhile, visit Grandfather, Grandmother and ask for the story. This way you will not forget. In such a way you can go in a way that is right and good............for your grandchildren.

Silent witness. The trees are with me Grandfather. Together we watch the world and wonder. I remember a time in Canada when Earth Woman taught me how to gather cedar boughs for the lodge. We talked to the Cedars that day and I heard them answer. I long for that once again Grandfather.

Tell me the story again about the Northern Lights and how afraid you were. What we don't know scares us, doesn't it, Grandfather? Tell me once again so that my own fear does not shame me. It reminds me to be real.