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  • FACING SUNRIZE
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    • INTRODUCTION
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    • Facing Sunrize, Chapter 1
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  • Golden Pheasant
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        A long time ago, in the land that is now New Mexico, there was a small village that rested high on the mountain's side. It overlooked what had been a mighty river, but is now, only a dry and dusty rocky bed. Occasionally now, the rains will come and flood the old river bed.....and for a time, wild flowers will grace it's parched banks. Crickets too will sing at night under the twinkling stars. It is a strange looking land, over-grown with thorny things and entities that crawl at night when the air is refreshingly cool. The air is thick and hot in summer, and the turquoise of twilight lingers, mingling with the fragrance of creosote blossoms.
        It was in this village that a certain old woman by the name of Sittingjing-gongala lived. She was a widow now, and stayed with her memories, watching the sun rise and set, the children being born, growing up....and moving away. But she had stayed all those years. She was an excellent weaver and craftswoman and delighted everyone with her stories. She was very grateful to the Great spirit for her beautiful life. It had been long and lonely though since her dear and valiant husband had died. Being alone hurt though she tried to be patient.
         For forty years she had been devoted to Chin-Honaw, her husband. He was a always a great provider and kept their family together thru good times and hard. He also had a terrific sense of humor. She tried to remember the times he made her laugh so hard, but now it would make her cry to think of him. It had only been three winters since that terrible accident that took his life. Although she missed him terribly, whenever she thought of him, she felt as if he were right there with her again in their little dwelling.
Gongi had borne him four healthy children, two sons and two daughters. Manox-Shinji, her first born son, had grown up to become a fine warrior. His heart too was kind and gentle, like his father, Chin-Honaw. When he was still a young man he was ambushed by Maney youths stealing from their corn patches. When Manox-Shinji fell, he struck his head upon a rock, and he later died from the injury. Now the Ehupai men were very peaceful and of a temperate nature. They did not want to fight with their neighbors, and did share much of their bounty with them during hard winters. But the Maney were always hungry. It seemed there could never be enough corn to fill their bellies, for they always returned with empty baskets. The Ehupai could never understand why these people did not plant their own corn. They had been kindly shown how, too many times to count, but they just did not care for gardening. They were hunters.
        Salanka was Sittingjing-gongala's first daughter. She had reached her 19th year and she and Red Horse were newlyweds. Of course Salanka came to visit often, but Sittingjing-gongala still felt a deep sorrow and loneliness inside that nothing seemed to dissuade, and which she tried to hide because she didn't want Salanka to worry. Salanka knew that only time could heal this great sorrow her mother was carrying. Time, and perhaps a new baby in the family. She missed her dear father very much too, but now she had Red Horse, and he was so wonderful to her. Red Horse's mother, Soclea, had grown up in the village when she and Gongi where young maidens. Soclea married and moved to her husband's village, but missing her childhood friend, she came to visit her often. They had always been good friends.
Salanka's brother Flying Eagle was a good friend to Red Horse and they would spend much time together hunting and talking stories. Flying Eagle was a rebellious fellow and was always finding himself in trouble. It wasn't his fault really, he was just so full of life and loved to dance and laugh a lot. He was still a bachelor as he was very shy with the girls and perhaps a bit too particular.
He was always sticking up for the under-dog and like his mother Sittingjing-gongala, he loved to help others whenever he could. He was a very brave young man and took chances another man might not take. Salanka was very worried for him and Red Horse all the time. Sometimes she would get angry with Red Horse for the chances he took when he was with her brother. She didn't want to lose them. They both acted like they were indestructible, but they weren't. She thought of her father Chin-Honaw, and the rock slide/avalanche that took his life. So she scolded them for their boldness whenever she could.
Flying Eagle was in his 20th year and one year younger than Red Horse, but they were both born when the nights were very long and the days were cold. They were always together from childhood and were quite a dynamic duo.
        Now Salanka's younger sister Leula, was sixteen, and even more rebellious than Flying Eagle. Their father had spoiled her and sometimes she was so unmanageable she made every one cry. She was terrible and wouldn't listen to her mother at all. Now she had run away with a young man from another tribe to the far West, He had come to the village trading seashells from the coast and finely tanned hides.
        Leula just took up with him and left with his little band. Salanka knew that her mother was more despondent than ever now. She was worried for her sister too, and hoped she was safe and happy and that she would return to their village again someday.
Leula was a daydreamer and didn't readily communicate her feelings to her mother, Salanka or Flying Eagle. Even though Salanka missed her sister Leula, she was mad at her too for causing Gongi so much grief and worry.
        As time passed, Salanka grew more and more happy in her marriage to Red Horse, and one day she came to her mother with the great news that soon she would be a mother too. This seemed to cheer the old woman, but at night Sittingjing-gongala would still cry alone in her tipi, because she worried so much for everyone. She could not live with the fear that she might lose another loved one again. Gongi would just stare into her little fire, reminiscing the years past when the children were small and she and Chin-Honaw were young and strong and in love. She thought of the baby to come, and bubbled over with joy, spilling tears into the deep creases etched in her face by time
Well, one morning just as Sittingjing-gongala was going out to gather herbs in the meadow, her brother Omwanaku came to her. In his arms he carried a little bundle. He laid the bundle down, beneath the nearby fir tree.
        "Look Sister, come here" he called to her. Sittingjing-gongala looked puzzled. As she came close, she thought she heard a baby crying. The little bundle was moving. The baby kicked the blanket off and Gongi was amazed to see the little smiley face of a beautiful baby girl. The baby stopped crying when she saw the old woman. The two just stared incredulously at each other in awe. Then the baby burst into laughter because both Omwanaku and Gongi looked funny staring at her motionless. She was kicking her feet and clapping her hands. The baby sat up, and began to crawl toward Gongi. The old woman looked at her brother skeptically.
        "Where did you find this precious bundle Brother?" He looked sadly at her, and then almost silently uttered under his breath...."Leula came to my lodge last night...."Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.

Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.Gongi's expression changed instantly from surprise to joyous ecstasy. Stunned with her mouth hanging up, she could barely move her lips to form the word....the sound that came forth was shaking from her shock of incredulity. "Leula?"...the mother gasped as tears formed in the corners of her eyes and spilled onto her craggy canyoned face. She looked at her brother as if all her pain was now gone and forgotten. Leula her baby was back... and now, with a baby of her own. The sad lonely days and cheerless nights were over. Omwanaku said nothing.
Recomposed, she spoke her daughter's name again. "Leula...well, where is she brother. Is she coming this way soon?" Gongi looked around to catch a glimpse of her. He seemed hesitant to reply, but knew he must. Gongi sensed something was amiss. His face was soured and hiding something. "No. She returned to the forest. She did not look well."
"Brother,...is she alright?...How could you let her go?!" "She's changed Sister. She's been through a lot." he finally added. "I don't care about that. She's my daughter. I love her. She made a mistake, but her place is to be here. What about this baby. Is this Leula's baby? "Yes, she's your grand-daughter." Omwanaku assured Gongi.
"What's your name little one" Gongi said affectionately cuddling the little girl in her arms, her wrinkled skin falling in happy folds. The baby girl touched the old woman's skin with her finger and smiled. The baby's smooth skinned chubby face contrasted distinctly with the old woman's as they pressed their cheeks together. They both laughed aloud at the very blissfulness of it. The baby kissed the old woman's eyes and rested in the warmth of Gongi's neck. Omwanaku's uneasiness seemed over, and he happily said, "I think you've got a buddy now old woman. Ha! you're a grandmother now!"
"Isn't it wonderful Brother. Oh I have so needed a sweet little baby to love and take care of again. Soon Salanka will give birth, and the children will have each other growing up. It's so wonderful! It's a dream come true!!! Did Leula tell you her baby's name?" "She mumbled something", he replied. "Why don't you give her a name," he added quickly.
Gongi was annoyed for a moment that Omwanaku was not forthcoming with the baby's name. "Well, I will call her... Peaciwawala! The Fragrance of Pine Cones. We'll call you Lali for short." She kissed the little baby and played with her hair, twirling it in her fingers like ribbon.
"Isn't she coming back Brother?" Gongi finally asked as she and Omwanaku were walking back to the tipi. Gongi held Lali on one hip. "Why would she leave her baby with you and return to the forest? Is she with someone?"
"I don't know Sister," he replied. "I'll go out looking for her and when I find her, I'll try to bring her back." "Are you hungry Omwanaku?" she asked as they went into the tipi.
Gongi put the baby on the great grizzly bearskin rug, and then sat beside her. The fire was still cooking one of Gongi's gopher stew. It simmered in a ceramic pot resting on a set of stones. It was warm inside the teepee and the aroma from the stew made the baby very mobile. Gongi had to show Lali how to sit by the fire and not be burned. Lali didn't listen. She let her toe touch a hot pepple that popped out of the fire. It sure hurt. She screeched and tucked her head into grandma's lap. Lali learned that lesson fast.
"I'm still full," replied Omwanaku. "I want to go now and look for her. She must have a camp close by." He smiled to see the baby on the bearskin. "We haven't seen that for a long time." "Are you sure this isn't your baby old man?!" Gongi chided. "Do you have a girl friend somewhere we don't know about?"
Omwanaku laughed. "I wish" he replied as he moved the buffalo skin to open the door. "I'll be back. I have traps to check. Maybe I'll have a squirrel or rabbit to add to your marvelous stew." "That would be nice Brother. Good luck" Gongi said gratefully."...and be careful."
Omwanaku went out leaving Gongi and Lali together in the warmth of the tipi. The fire was almost out. Only the embers were still smoldering into ash, and the warmth of the sun beat tenderly upon the buffalo skins. Gongi moved to open the door. She tied it up, and the sun flooded in bringing light and fresh air. Lali crawled to the doorway and looked out. Then she looked at Gongi and sat up clapping her hands gleefully. "Mama" she said clapping her hands and smiling at Gongi."No" said Gongi. "Grandma" "Mama" she said again. "Mama"
The days passed quickly, and Gongi waited hopefully for Leula's return. The nights were grueling and long, but Lali slept beside her on the great grizzly bearskin that Chin-Honaw had battled himself. How Gongi wished Chin-Honaw were with her now to enjoy their grand-child. Having a baby alone was alot of work. "If only Leula would come back" she thought hopefully.

The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.The Thunderheads were hovering almost above her now. She could see Their Scowling Faces blowing the wind in her direction as it thrashed, fiercely shaking the tree she was under as if to draw her out.
But Lali lay quietly. She was so sorry and scaird. She even promised the Great Spirit and her Ancestral Grandmothers she would always be a good girl from now on, and always help Gongi whenever she asked Lali to give her a hand with the chores...If only she and Lokie could get back home to their village again unharmed.
Lali was repeating the counting song over and over again in her mind as she drifted off into a deep sleep. In her dream she was walking down a steep trail and she slipped into an icy dream world, she would not remember.
***************************************************
Suddenly someone was calling her name. Now she was back under the fir tree, clinging for life. When she heard her name called, she opened her eyes. An old man, strangely familiar, was approaching her. Although she thought she was well hidden, he knew exactly where she was. He was holding Gongi's little beaded purse in his outstretched hand for her to take. When she took the purse, he smiled and nodded his head reassuringly. Then he resumed his journey down the trail, disappearing into the shadows. Lali felt a warm glow as she clutched the purse to her heart. She forgot to shiver, and settled down cozily, resting comfortably until sunrize.
While she slept, the Thunderclouds released great sheets of snow, but Lali didn't know because she was dreaming, clutching the little beaded purse. It was the very first snow of the season and the trail that Lokie and Lali made was covered up by the soft falling crystals as they sparkled brilliantly everywhere in heaps.
The water from the river rushed and laughed over the rocks. Droplets shone like jewels in the morning sun. The beavers were already at work whittling away at their beams. But soon the sky become gray. The few patches of blue closed up and the water rushed more swiftly as the snow fell harder.
The whole countryside lay expectant and eager. The vibration was in the air. The snow soothed the earth, let it sleep, with all it's precious seeds. Sleep until another Spring...but Lali must not sleep until Spring. Why didn't she move?
Lali lay there dreaming. Finally the aching in her limbs and joints made her shift her position again. She reached in her dream for Lokie, but when he saw her, he merrily escaped again. The birds chirped loudly in the boughs above her. Lali sat up. The sun was peaking thru the clouds. The whole forest was dressed in white from bough to root. The sun was bright, the air crisp and clean.
If only Lokie would come back. Tears ran down Lali's face. She rubbed her empty stomach and looked around to see if there was something to eat. But there was only snow, deeply piled in banks. Lali scooped a handful of snow and put it in her mouth. It was crunchy and cold. Just then she heard a crunching sound behind her.
Lali held her breath. She tried to look between the pine needles without being seen, She was listening quietly. She smelled the air. "Hmmm. Not a bear" she thought. "I hope it's not a mountain lion" As she was straining to see what she could see, Lokie's big nose pushed it's way thru the low bough under which Lali was hiding.
The giant Thunderheads rumbled and let lightning fly, They were laughing so hard. They were have a good time teaching Lali the lesson of her life. If she didn't change her attitude soon, they were ready to lose patience with her. First they decided to give her a chance to prove her good intentions.
But Lali was in a scowling mood all day just trying to keep Lokie moving. She was still, just as determined as ever to ruin everyone's day if she couldn't have everything her own way. Compromise was not part of her vocabulary yet.
The Great Eyes of the Thunderheads followed her every move. They shook their heads in dismay, and it snowed a deluge on Lali and Lokie as they trudged wearily forward. The Thunderheads made her very uncomfortable with their piercing eyes, but Lali shook off her feelings of dread, as just her imagination tricking her into believing her grandmother's fairy tale.
"Some old clouds don't scare me! You'll be gone soon," she told them pretending to acknowledge them. "This storm is just passing thru. Tomorrow there will be plenty of sun again, and we wont have to look at your sour pusses any more!" She laughed nervously to prove she thought it was just a joke. But the Thunderheads didn't think it was a joke, and they poured more snow on top of her and Lokie, until Lokie could go no further and he lay down in the snow.
********************************************************
When Gongi got back to her camp, Salanka was there. "Mom" she said,"I heard they didn't find Lali yet. How are you doing" she added, rubbing the old woman's shoulder. Gongi shook her head and went into her teepee. Salanka followed. "Mom," she said gently, "come to my lodge tonight. I made a rabbit stew and it's still hot. Ebi and Shiro are worried for you too. Come stay with us tonight." Gongi just shook her head to say no. "Mom, what did you eat today," Salanka insisted. "You have to eat. You come with me now." She had to pull Gongi's arm to get her out of the teepee. She followed Salanka sadly to the family lodge.

          It was a windy day, and the sun was shining brightly. Everything seemed so crisp and clean, and the air had the fragrance of creosote blossoms. Fresh leaves were on every bush and tree. Soon flowers would be everywhere. It seemed like every drop of air was bursting with infinite life.
        Lali stomped in with her usual "I don't do chores" attitude. "What?!" she snarled at her grandmother. As nicely as she could, Gongi replied, "I need you to take the jug to the spring Dear, and fill it up please."Lali pursed her lips and stomped her foot on the dirt floor. "No" she shrieked. "I don't want to! We're playing now!!"
        Just then, Tumby ran in with the ball and jumped over Gongi to get to a safe corner of the teepee where she could safely maul the ball. The ball was made from resin covered with bits of grass and moss. It didn't taste good, but she wanted it. The other kids rushed in now, all sweaty and excited. "There she is" shouted Shiro, running over his grandma to get to Tumby. Tumby went to Gongi for protection, but it did no good.
        "That's enough!" shouted Gongi. "Get out Tumby," she insisted with a shove as she grabbed the ball from the dog's mouth. Tumby gave a whimper and fled outside, followed by the children to whom she refused to return the ball. "Get back in here Lali!" screamed Gongi. Now they all came back in again, even Tumby, all hoping by being cooperative, they'd get the ball back. But Grandmother had a way of making them do what she wanted. "Okay," she said,"I'll give you the ball back,...when Lali comes back with the water!"
        "Aw, Grandma!” they all shouted. "Out!" Gongi replied. "Lali, the jug is right by your leg. Please go get the water now! We have to make lunch!" Lali stomped out, so Rizing Moon picked up the jug. "I'll go get it Grandma," she said nicely. "No!" replied Gongi. "You already got water for me today. It's Lali's turn." "Why is she like that Grandma," asked Rizing Moon. "I don't know dear" said Gongi with exasperation. "Why don't you go talk with her." "Okay," assured Rizing Moon, "I will." "Take the jug, but give it to Lali," insisted Gongi. Rizing Moon took the jug and hugged her Grandma. The boys hugged her too, but Tumby ran outside to be with Lali. Rizing Moon and the boys took the jug out to Lali. Lali and Tumby were over by the Cottonwood tree now wrestling. So they went over to her and Ebi said, "Let's go get water together Lali." "I'll get another jug," said Rizing Moon. Lali was annoyed. She had been chewing on the wind, and didn't feel like getting water. She wanted to keep playing, and she wanted the ball back! She had been winning!

        Just then, Salanka called to Rizing Moon to come home. Rizing Moon turned to Lali and said, "We gotta go now Lali. I gotta go see what Mom wants. We'll play later," she added turning to go. "But we were having such fun!" mumbled Lali sadly.
        The boys ran after Rizing Moon, but Ebi fell down and started to cry. As Lali started throwing the stick for Tumby to fetch, Gongi was cutting a fresh switch. Lali didn't see Gongi coming, and the sting of the switch on her buttocks surprised her. Gongi picked up the jug, and handed it to Lali emphatically. "I said, PLEASE go fill up the jug for lunch!" Lali looked at her grandmother and took the jug. "I was just going!" she said. "Good!" replied Gongi, with the switch twitching in her hand.
        "Now don't be late dear" Gongi advised, trying not to be too nice yet. Arrogant and unapologetic, Lali and Tumby started down the path to the spring. "When I grow up, I'm not going to have to get water," thought Lali, as she pouted. "If I want to, of course I will!" she added for Tumby's benefit. Tumby barked in agreement. "I'll just live close to the spring that's all! Then I wont have to carry the jugs, we'll just wash everything in the stream!" continued Lali.
        Now Tumby was pulling on Lali's skirt wanting to play. "Oh get away you pesky dog!" she yelled, trying to push Tumby off. When she did that, she stumbled over a gnarly root from the great Cottonwood tree that surfaced on the path. As she fell, the jug she was balancing on her head, fell too. Hitting a stone, it shattered instantly. "Now look what you've done Tumby!" shouted Lali. "You naughty naughty dog!" Tumby thought Lali was playing and jumped on her while she was still on the ground recovering. She licked Lali's face and was biting her hair and looking for fleas. That made Lali laugh, and she started throwing pieces of the broken jug at Tumby. "Well," said Lali affectionately to Tumby, "I think we're in big trouble now. If we go back, I'll get a good whipping with the switch." Tumby looked sad and put her head on Lali's lap. "And it's your fault Tumby!" she added as an after thought.
        How she wished she was grown up already and could do what she wanted. Inside her the fire swelled and she wanted to jump and play and just forget about the water jug. She felt grown up inside. She was self confident and felt competent that she was grown up enough to take care of herself! She knew how to track and hunt, but didn't like it much. She could fish though, maybe even catch a bird or something. In time she could go back, but right then, she was too afraid to face her grandma. She'd broken jugs before on purpose. Gongi wouldn't believe it was an accident. Lali didn't know what to do now.
        Something in the forest was so intriguing to her. When she saw the ruins of settlements, she felt an eerie presence. She felt strange, like she had lived there before, in those ancient times. She needed time to explore those fantasies...and discover, who she really was and who she could become. She listened closely to an inaudible voice, as if she were being called by someone. Her fantasy pulled her deeper into the forest now, as she wandered through the thick growth.
        The wind was howling through the trees and the air was so fresh it burned her nostrils. Tumbala ran ahead of her on the path. "Oh! Go back home you troublemaker" she shouted at Tumby, striking her on the nose with a stone. Tumby howled in pain and ran off in the direction of the village; crying in loud and pitiful yelps as she fled.
Lali felt a surge within her and began running and jumping deeper and deeper on the path that followed the stream. She hadn't turned off to the spring as she was supposed to do, and that's when she stumbled and broke the jug. She began hopping rocks that were in and about the stream. She hadn't been this far before alone. But she had come out here with her Uncle Omwanaku and others for gathering certain herbs and plants.
        The breeze was combing her hair, and the water made the air so sweet and fresh. In her mind Lali could see Gongi. She knew her Grandmother was beginning to wonder where she was, especially when Tumby returned home alone. She didn't care about that now though. She was dreaming she was an ancient princess of the realm, and could do what ever she wanted to do.

        Finally she stepped onto the cool moist grass beside the stream, winded now from skipping rocks. She lay on her back looking up into the clear blue sky. She was out of breath and needed to rest for a moment. She was feeling so comfortable on the soft grass as she lay in the sun. The fresh grass was so soft and fragrant, like a cushion beneath her. Before she knew it, she had fallen into a deep sleep.


                                                                           ****************************************************


        The sun's rays were slanting towards the evening sky when Lali sat up. She'd been dreaming for some time. The thoughts flowed through her like a gentle breeze. She let them pass, watching only, trying in her childish way to understand why she had even been borne. It was just a cruel joke! She still didn't want to go home. She would get a good licking, she knew that. She didn't know what to do.
         As she was perplexing about her dilemma, abstractedly looking across the stream, she thought she saw a cave in the small hillside facing the water. There was a large stone near the entrance. It had been rolled away and revealed the dark interior. She got up and crossed over the water to the other side of the stream.
        Walking through the tall grass that grew on that side, she came upon the cave entrance. The grass was not tall there and wild flowers popped up everywhere adorning, what to Lali looked like a beautiful garden. Curious and excited, the hair stood up on the back of her neck. She felt strange, and had goose bumps all over. Her heart was pounding within her chest and she knew, although not a sound had betrayed the tenant, that someone was there. She wasn't alone. As she was very curious, she proceeded cautiously toward the mouth of the cave. She just wanted to peer inside. As she did, she felt an invisible hand pull her back suddenly, and she screamed without meaning to. She turned quickly, but no one was there.


 

 

                                                                     PROMISE

  Happiness lingers at long last

The Sun is golden in the Sky....

  I've come so far from death filled days

  So long long ago.

  And when I new look back, I see

  The same enchanted smile.  It lingers yet

  Upon my face,  and I am glad, glad because I ran....

  Ran screaming,...torn and bleeding....

  Ignorant and bewildered was I...and I thank Life

  That the sound of my fleeing

  Did not stop the ringing....Of the Truth within my ears;

  Could not stop the singing of Thanksgiving

  Thru the fears...now I am here....at last...at last!

              Makena  Beach, Maui Hawaii  c'97 yfr

                                                      PUBERTY, c

Is Woman like a butterfly...that from,

Some dark cacoon has come to rest...

Upon a wild flower in the meadow,

And with golden tresses in the Wind....

She sings a song of wings.    Wind...!

Do you not hear her screams

As You send her speeding toward a sea

Of thorns and weeds.  Wind! do You not hear....

The restless beating of her wings----or the echoing...

Of her silent thoughts.....Wind!....

Oh restless  Breath of Life,

Your endless Rhythms churn us in  Your Tides;

Is our pathetic drama Your Delight?  

Is this some joke You have designed.  The Truth do not deny..

What is this awesome spectacle about...  Oh Wind!.....

What is this dream????  What is this Life.....

            The INDIVIDUAL

                                          "RESURRECTION"

  I am in the dream returning

  Wind blown and bland

  A broken bottle on the sand

  So many times not know

  That I AM....asleep....dreaming

  Until I feel the rhythm of the Sea

  Move...as the Life that lives in me.

  Until my sleep is wakened evermore...

  Until my form is bursting with unbroken melody...

  Until I AM a brilliant and vast chasm...

                 of the Sun...once more.

Promice

CONCEPTION

             "CONCEPTION"

How have I come from whence I came,

To be here, in this strange place.

Where can I go and what will I know....

                               of this mystery?

What is a hand that can't understand, and

What are my feet, if they do not meet...

       My soul.....insearching....

                                         " BIRTH"

So here I am,  with reaching arms into the Sun,

My first breath, my thousandth death....

Caught between the tides of pride, I cry.

From Truth, I can no longer hide.

Alas!  The Just One knows....

His is the measure of mercy I seek;

In His Talons I abide.

I come then... hungry, to the bosom of Time.

I have to put aside pretending,

I cannot escape this yearning...

To Love...and to be...Loved!

BIRTH

CHILDHOOD

                                               "CHILDHOOD"

                                        As the drying carcass
                                    Bears it's teeth into the sand,
                                  I too, bear mine into your heart...
                                   And beg, to be more part of you.
                               As the dried carcass shatters into dust,
                                     So would the image of myself,
                                Whilst in my heart, bees flutter 'round 
                              Spring Flowers, like unrozined violins....
                               Why are there so many walls...so many
                                       That you just can't let me in?!

Puberty, a

                                                     "PUBERTY" a

                           Tired, I fall in the arms of the grass.
                           My grief limps away, far.....without me....
                           I can no longer hear the mourning bird,
                           For she has taken her feathers, and
                           Placed them in the earth, beside me.
                           I can no longer feel the pulsing of the Earth...
                           In this stillness of repose...I muse, "that night...
                           Is followed still by day...and Death...by Life".
                           I was facing the sea when the sky changed.
                           I never had time to say "I want to live!"

                                                    .....in this looking glass!

 
                           Now here I am...a hostage...in a world of reflections.
                           Here I am alone......ungroomed, unbloomed....unsoothed.
                           Should I be brave? Could I have faith.
                          Where is the grace....I knew was coming.....?
                          Where is the place from which I'm coming.
                          Am I returning...or am I going...
                          Who can show me the way to 'here'...
                          When all I remember is being....'there'.

Puberty, b

                                 Puberty, b

Is it true mankind is borne 

With bits and blinders for his traits?

How few that dare to see beyond

Or try at least a different gait.

Be not afraid to wonder about thirst or death

But whilst we live, let all excite us to explore this life,

And put no chains on things we do not know,

Lest for one moment we should want to rest

And be we cursed forever without love for quest.

So off I into the morning of this youth choose go,

Whilst bees tll flowers of what honey they shall never know...

The sound of unrozened violins dost fill the air...and

The broken melody of Life...is everywhere.

Puberty, c

Life, 1a

                                                     Life, 1a

Now yon, I see the mother of young children weep,

And looking into clouds, she dries her eyes

With leaves that fallen from the trees,

Have mingled in her lap of thighs and knees.

How's come this  creature of our time to tears...and

Wretching , grasps the bosom o'er her heart,  and

Screams her rotten rage into the air!.....

Whilst all about her children hear, and swear they'll never wed,

For it is but the desperate fragile plight of all who dare...and

Puts an end to love, and lights the fire of fear!

Children running off into the bushes to find love....

They find a whispering forest in another tongue

And silence all their echos, and lead themselves.....

To ignorance.

                         ***************************************

Please take me night, let me recline

In Thy deep folded arms, that I may henceforth never know,

The emptiness of a pitcher that has spilled,

Into a cup that cannot be filled....all of it's sweet milk!

LIFE, 1b

                                                        Life, 1b

Caressing my spine in crowded alleys,

I see it beconing, passing...and yet,

I cannot see it's face. 

I hear the distant rumbling in the rushing rain....

It falls upon my temples, playing themes....

Gently urging.....it holds my hand!  In cities....

It places wild flowers (tempting me), beneath my nostrils...

And I breathe freedom, and hold briefly, it'a Hand....

But soon wake, while cities 'round me cry for sleep.

Like a drop of the sweetest honey, the Caller drops it's spit

Into my ear, whetting my  maiden heart. 

Gently urging....It holds my hand.....

I PLACE MY PALMS ACROSS ITS THROBBING LIPS.... and

Yet it's Voice seems carried into clouds. I visit parks where

Trees and flowers live; I sit upon a bench an read.

Then soon... afar, I HEAR ITS BREATH...nearer...

EVERY MOMENT NEARER...it rustles now

The leaves upon the grass...and comes full, beside me...sits.

Gently urging,...IT TAKES MY HAND!  I rush away

Into the city's tombstones,  eight hundred and sixteen steps

High.  Now in my room....the church  outside my window....

The hidden garden in sweet bloom...

The early Autumn....CALLING ME! I close my eyes...

I cover my ears.  I try to think of being HERE.....but

In the darkness I succumb.  In the darkness reach to Kiss....

With eager lips that part to let the unseen conqueror in.

It enters me.  Makes me it's lover with a silent thought.

A tongue so sweet, a need so deep....I cannot sleep......

I need.....I NEED...It moves in me, rushes like a waterfall 

Into my belly with a refreshing splash recalling me.

It snakes thru every stream and comes....soaked.....

Into my heart.  Gently urging...it holds my hand...and

I hunger, and I scream, into the morning of my vagrant dreams....

I WILL FOLLOW  YOU!

LIFE, 1c

                                                                  "LIFE, 1c"

How now I've come this forked road, where I must choose, and end dilemma?

So I set my bags beside me here, and urge my instinct to discover.....

Which of these roads is better.  Now to the right, I see but vaguely,

Chimneys smoking, in skies hazy, women beating hooked rugs,

Children picking wild daisies.....Oxen straining in a team....ahhhhh,

                                                                                                       Surely, this is part of me!

To the left, one purple mountain, dents the clusters of a cloud....

Tiny whispers from the branches, trees dressed in taffeta.....

The trembling feet of water, that soak the soil down....

An underneath the foilage, red clay breasts and bellies sprawled....ahhh.

                                                                                                        Surely, this too is part of me!  

Would one be wise, to never rize, to never sleep, to never weep...

To never die, or find one's Self inside....the cavern of her mother's womb. 

Guardian of Life Eternal, please be kind, and beat down not so hard

Upon the fabric of my silken soul.  And now, back to the task I set: 

 Ah well....I'll choose the left....., and if I someday here return,

I'll try the other road  perhaps and see what more there's then to learn.....and if I,

Someday here return...if unfulfilled, I come and yearn....

To know another side of life.....I trust my candle will not all be burned!

Resurrection

LIFE 2: The Big Waters

                                                " LIFE, 2"

Our hands had torn up the grass from the earth, and dug in that place, and softened the soil.

The seeds that fell from our hands, fell in well....and the waters we cast, washed away

The soft shells, and Life began to form.   Life spread forth two leaves, and a stem. 

The sun pressed a shimmering warmth throughout them, and they  lived....and they grew....

While we stood in the daze, and longed.....for the flower...to bud. Time passed,

Day into night, and....water rushed from the rocks to the sea....for the mountain was tall and

It's forests were deep.....so the water rushed and ran to the sea....and the sea,

With welcoming arms did abide, on the shore of the land.  Great was the tide..

Of  the whispering sea!   Our seeds grew strong, and wild were those days,

When we broke the ground for a bamboo house,  But the sky fortold of a coming day,

When the wind would tear our hearts apart.....and the rain, would wash the blood away. 

The rain began when the corn was tall, and pumpkins bloomed on the banks

Of the stream; and you and I would sit in the daze, speaking of many wonderful things...

Into the lingering light of night....while you created me. The nights took me up

To the fields on the hill, where I slept in the grass, and the rain..and the Moon;  and

The Stars must have touched me.....alone in that room...for I felt myself stirring....

Though I did  not move.   Soon rain began to fill the day, and lo....the field wherein I lay,

Was changed, into a strange strong hum. of rumbling sounds.....and heavy clouds, and

I laid still.....for I heard.......the Wind!

                              Days there were...I stood in the rain....naked and hot and half insane.

                               Days there were....when I crept wet, into the house, and slept and slept.

But the rain was there when I awoke, and rained and roared, and broke....my ecstacy!

The stream had been a gurgling friend, that bent and wound without an end

Throughout our love. But now,, the rain dAnCeD on her (she was swiftly moving),

DaNcEd and would not cease! and she rushed, as if to flee the rain...out to the sea....and

It rained and RAINED...'til it blinded me...and the stream SCREAMED over her banks....

When I arose, I could not speak, and I stood on the porch....still from my sleep, and

Did not believe that it could be...for it was as thought some mighty hand

Had come through the rain, and broken the land...and the stream had carried... so much away....

What was left, was a gnarled mess, of broken trees and screaming dreams, lost in the air.....

For the sound of the rain still echoed yet....and I looked across from where I stood, 

To what remained of the gardens, but they were gone! for the earth was drunk and broken lay.....

Where once we'd spent....the greatest days of LOVE.

LIFE, 3

                                                     "LIFE 3"

So what does it matter if a bird sings, in pure delight and with it's wings

Descends into an emerald meadow in a burst of sun,

If the one outcome of Life....is Death!

Give up to it oh yes, to the beauty of Life's passing unrestraianed,

But it saddens me to think  the mold will break....and lose to me

Some individual I hope to save.  Oh rain beat har upon my open breast

That Truth, a little seed mmight grow...That I would come to understand....

That I would know...all things return from whence they came. 

Life is but a merry-go-round game. Would that I were joyful of that fact;

That Time marching on brings all things back.

To let it go, to grow...to be...is still the hardest thing for me.

Though stars fade quietly within the night before,

The madness of me reaching for them in the dark.... is evermore....

Though it has now become....the reaching...for the Sun!

INDECISION

                                                                            "INDECISION"

I walked along a dusty road in June, for miles, the sideways blushed with fruit. 

Trees heavy longing for repose, yet there were, July and August moons to come.

I walked, straight into the horizon yet it never came....so close, that

I could touch the flowered Sun....nor did I sink in clouds of amber flame....

For June has roads that fork the mind. My sandals had been worn and long discarded. 

The blisters on my heels, were dried and hard.   The dust had burned into my nails....

I wept for Autumn....before.....behind me.....many miles.

The road seemed freshly cut, yet many footprints, some bare as mine

While others pressed by shoes.....had seen the same eclipsing of the Sun

That never set and blackly shone, pulling one dryly down this dusty road.

One rock cast to the side was tempting, so I took from my task and did recline.

Then shortly did my senses sink to feigning....and thus did the rock imply:

"Were I an apple free from thought, sole to preserve myself from rot...

I'd blossom in the crudest of all forms, while my leaves and body trembled

Torn with worms....while yet I clung..... to live.  Were I an ocean giving life,

To crusts of coral and the like, I'd ram my breasts and chisel foam...and

Set the boats adrifting from their homes, while I sifted the remains of Sun." 

I marveled at this whispering in my ears...I trembled from my innards, 'til my soul

Spread raw...and after thinnking of my early years...I hastened into air my own remark:

"Were I a child again, with feathered pillow, soft beneath my light and drifting hallow...

With only thoughts of pettycoats and dolls..soundless voices, endless calling....

Knowing nothing of tomorrow....Am I not only seeking?...other worlds so fragile

When in blinking.....they crumble in my arms of make-believe, and I am left from Wind...

Flesh in a heap....while yet I ponder, new methods to exits of relief.."

While thus I sat,, there came from dusk, a little bell. that only dreamers hear....

Without a hand to swing it yet it rung, and urged me rize and journey near. 

But e'er before I rose, Time took it's minutes, and pressed a gentle breeze into the eve.....and

I sat pondering again...the Sun still beckoning my leave...so passed the minutes and the hours.

I hungered those I never rose...I tried to sleep but always fantasies, came

Dancing on the scent of air that pushed me back, upon the rock, and left me....unaware. 

The whole of June did leave me thus; July parched the skin around my lips.  In August

I shelled the jewels of my soul....I seemed a snakeskin quivering in September's gentle wind. 

Thus did I rest, while bits of me were taken.....by October in the air, and dusted back...

Upon the footprints on the bleak horizon, and in complete decay....I folded flat....

Until my skull was molded, firm into that rock.....meant only for an hour's leisure.

MATURITY: Song of the Arizona Desert

                                                                         "MATURITY"

Out of the darkness of the desert night, stars sing, way beyond the moon....

I cannot hear their lyrics, though I seem to quiver, in the rhythm of the ringing...

In the singing of the darkness of the desert night.

All the years I cried in anguished pain, already dead, but living just the same..

Confused by alienation and injuries sustained....withholding love so long....it turned to rage!

All the years I strayed, stayed behind, shivering and afraid.  All the years I could have smiled

My lips to bursting, had I, with peasure accepted what was real and renewed by understanding,

Let my heart so full of lovingness reveal, the way to show that love.

Had I known how to open every pore,....and let me flow back into what would never change

From being you or me...could I have known what joy this night would bring, and though

So close to giving up all hope, at last accepting my own need.....to grow!

I sit now, upon this ancient rock, forgotten by the world, and feel so whole,

So full of bliss...so free;   Was it always waiting here for me?   

I can say now, that should my bones be bleached beneath the Sun, and the last bit of flesh

No longer clinging to my skull...when all the entrances and exits that are made of clay....

Are longed picked separate from their cavities....this skeleton is least of all when one craves Life,

For Life....the lover of our Soul, alone knows from whence it came and where it goes. 

Where does it go?  "Tis not I who knows. 

So bury me beside a desert butte, and wrap me in old garments that have known my flesh.

Allow me one last pleasure for my wasting pride,  that I be loved....for all the things I tried,

If but in vain, and lay me prayerfully upon a palette high where I can touch again the blessed sky,...

Let the beasts of air gather there feasting , so eager to relieve their hunger and the

Burden of these bones, this flesh was keeping, to this unforgiving hour of reaping,

As I face the Ancient Wise.  We see ancestors blood has dried.  Has left it's color in the rocks

For all of time;  But Time leaves this Individual....ALIVE... 

                                                                      Within the Guardian's Sanctuary...abiding.

DEATH

                                                                                 "DEATH"

While I lay, deep in the meadow, listening to the gentle stirrings...

I overheard a song so sweet, as if someone were weeping.

I bent my ear ito the air, and did not breathe so I could hear...

The last petal of a flower, singing softly to the earth: 

"I have sprung where from I rose, with leaves and petals...and my toes

Sunk in the meadow. I have watched the summer changing,

From a youth to someone aging, and though I did not know the meaning....

I willingly partook of Life.  Long have I lived here in the meadow

Long have I wished my feet were free.  Glad though I am, to be a flower....

I feel no need for lingering.  For in this long last day, I feel returning....

To some great Seed, that once, encompassed me!"

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