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 harden 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.

A old Apache man moved around the circle.
Burning sage and blessing everyone who came today.

He welcome us.
He begin 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 forgot.
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

© 2012 Coyote Poetry

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