The Medicine wheel
The Medicine wheel
A Poem by Coyote Poetry
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 American 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 East man tried to sell me a China’s made items.
I touched a Medicine Wheel.
I told the man.
“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 grins at me.
He didn’t understand a word that I spoke.
He told me.
“Does the same things.”
I leave the store with nothing.
Sitting with my Apache Friend outside the gate of Fort Hood, Texas.
I sat and listen to him.
His skin hardens from 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.”
With sadness in his voice.
“Us 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.
Eyes looking at the ground.
Then he raise his eyes and look to the sky.
The fire was taught(Atomic and nuclear) too well.”
“The black people held the strength, wisdom and honor.
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 to dance the dance of friendship.
An old Apache man moved around the circle.
Burning sage and blessing everyone who came today.
He welcome us.
He began to speak.
“We were the last Americans allow 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 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 create 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 different. 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 peace with each other and the planet.
Coyote
What a beautiful poem. I look forward to reading all your posts and following your blog. I am sure I will learn much from you.
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you stopping by.
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”
Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator
Such beauty to remember. Thank you for reminding …
We must remember our Elder’s words. We need the Native American wisdom today. We must live in peace with nature and man. Thank you for the comment.
Good morning… I live among many Native American tribes and have a great respect for their ways and beliefs. I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for honoring these great people.
Great piece.
So we continue to fail to embrace the wisdom we know for the ignorance we choose. If this continues we will destroy the earth and all the people in it.
Hi John,
Thank you for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate it. I love this piece because it demonstrates your love for your cultural heritage whilst embracing everyone around you. I look forward to reading more of your pieces. Have a wonderful week.
God bless from New Zealand xox
I love this. I wish I could sit with your Apache friend too. I would listen to his wisdom. This world puts too much emphesis on progress today. The wisdom of age learnt lessons has lost its proper place of respect.
The Native Americans elders had advice the leader of the USA to be careful. Had sat with presidents. Today the things the Native American leaders had feared. Came to bay. I was lucky to be allowed to create friendship with many good people in my life. I believe we must walk the good walk or our children will pay for our mistakes. Thank you for reading.
Beautiful.. thank you so much for sharing. Wa do.
Thank you for reading. Good to understand where you came from. I hope and pray one day we understand. The planet is small. We must live together in peace.
Indeed, I am fearful if we do not make change soon the choice will no longer be ours..enjoy your day and again thank you.