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.
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
A very radiant poem! I love that you are proud of your roots, even though it is slowly fading in time. What a wonderful past you have! I love the black, white and yellow metaphors, it really does make sense, doesn’t it? Thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you Pia. It is simple logic. Native Americans believe we are one people on one planet. It is true. Every life is important in this world. The child lost could of been the one to save us all.
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And through literature we can preserve that ideal, right? This is really great, John. Keep it up!
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This is my first time learning of the medicine wheel. This is a wonderful post.
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The Medicine wheel is old Native American belief. The ancient people believe we could live together in peace. Thank you for the comment.
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The world can definitely use some extra peace, some eternal union between everyone! Wise and beautiful words you share!
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The Ancient people saw the future. If we create separation. The world would fall apart. It did. The Native American belief is all four corners of the planet must work together to know peace. Thank you for the comment.
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Coming together as one–I agree it is the way to save what is most precious–Earth.
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Thank you for the comments. We must protect the water, sky and the earth. Our life blood. I will never understand how people can destroy life and land without thoughts. There is consequences for every action.
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You are right. There are consequences for every action, both in our individual lives and in humanity as a whole.
Blessings,
Annie
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Native American wisdom and truth is self-evident. Begs the question: what is real to you?
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I must live in two worlds. Each of us have heritage and belief. We must maintain a life and survive with rules we don’t understand. Allowing starvation and sickness we cannot see and we know people are suffering. I believe new world lived with a blindfold. Don’t want to see the real world. I like the Native American way. Can’t own the land. We must live in peace with nature, animal and man. Easy to forget who we are. I like your question.
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In our diversity, lies our greatest strength. One people, One voice, One spirit – may it someday be so. Many Blessings to you and yours, Johncoyote.
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This piece is truly beautiful. The spirituality that emits from it is immense. I am giving a presentation on Native American Spirituality in one of my classes tomorrow and this poem of yours really inspires me. Thank you for your amazing words. They remind me of one of my favorite quotes: “All things are connected. Whatever befalls earth befalls the sons of the earth… The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth.”
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“The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth.” I agree. Thank you for the comment. Best book on Native American History is written by Helen Jackson. the book is called “A century of dishonor.’ This brave woman wrote the book for the president and is one of few true documents.
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You’re welcome! I look forward to your future posts. I’ll be sure to read this book. 🙂 Thanks!
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This poem of yours inspired the poem I wrote called “A Little Hopi.” Thanks for that.
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Thank you Eva for your comment. I read a thousand poems a week on four sites. The young and old writers are my motivation to keep writing. I’m glad I gave you ideas for writing.
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Lovely Johncoyote… I think I am one of the gentle and calm souls will be necessary for this world to seek peace…
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Magnificent way of life, of thinking, reasoning and uniting the best in all people. Do you have good resources on these stories John? I would love to really research the native cultures more through their story telling.
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This is common belief in most Native America tribes. The Native Americans could not believe the greed of the white people. Should be common sense wisdom. One planet and one people. Many good books on the subject. Just go to a good book store. Many good herbal cures and old story were left by the great men. The Medicine wheel is mainly used by the Western Native Americans. I like the belief. The four corners of the world must work together.
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What a lovely way to look at diversity as the gift it truly is; thank-you!
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Beautiful share John Coyote. Thank you.
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Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate the comment.
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Thank you . Much to ponder and it casts an image in my head more beautiful than any that have come from my fingers…
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The old beliefs were simple. If we look at the old customs. Race and religion wasn’t a concern. Deeds and actions made a man or woman. Would be a better world if we listen to the beliefs of the old world. Thank you for the comment.
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Cherokee had a great history. Their own language and held the precious Cherokee land in North Carolina. Thank you for the comment. I was lucky. At Fort Hood. The Apaches allowed me in and told me many great story. My tribe in Michigan are not so friendly. I believe we need to pass our heritage to our children.
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I love this beautiful story. My great grandma was a cherokee, something not spoken of back then.
I am very proud now. Thank you for the fine writing.
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