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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2000-04-17 06:40 PM


At first it felt an intrusion,
like trespassing on sacred sands,
but wonder quickly won over
as we walked these pueblo lands.

Where the Valles Caldera erupted,
basalt layers formed blackened tuffs,
by way of rain, snow, constant winds
rose up sheer cliffs and bluffs.

The Cavates were built on two levels,
petroglyphs of plumed serpents delight,
concentric circles, masks and spirals,
inscriptions in black upon white.

High upon the wide, flat mesa,
stand ruins of the commune,
some returned to bricks of adobe,
skylights now capturing moon.

When we climbed to the second level,
perspective played tricks on the eyes,
our minds together shifted,
flying toward turquoise skies.

It was easy to let the wind take us,
back to the days of Puye’s glory,
three hundred years of dwellers
imagining each one’s story.

Picked a piece of painted pottery,
showed you delicate black bands,
we gazed with new found clarity,
before returning it to native sands.

Puye was finally abandoned,
circa 1580 A.D.
Why they left when they left
is still a mystery.

© 2000 CM Bailey

Note:  Puye is Tewa for "pueblo ruin where rabbits assemble" - after posting this, I realized that with the timing of Easter, the title might be a bit misleading, so, some explanation seemed appropriate!



[This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 04-17-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2000-04-17 06:46 PM


It is so interesting to see history this way...Your poem is wonderful!
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
2 posted 2000-04-17 09:30 PM


If I'd have had History lessons like this in high school...perhaps I could have learned to like History  
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

3 posted 2000-04-17 09:37 PM


Beautifully done, Corinne!

Denise

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
4 posted 2000-04-17 10:22 PM


Corinne~
Again you mesmerize me with the tales
of this beautiful area.
I have only seen pictures of the
Cliffs Of Puye ... and they are
fascinating.  I can see where the name
depicting 'where rabbits assemble' came
from.

'The Cavates were built on two levels,
petroglyphs of plumed serpents delight,
concentric circles, masks and spirals,
inscriptions in black upon white.'

Just the use of 'concentric circles' is
enough to hold me in rapt study.  
Thank you, my friend for treating me
to this lovely site.
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
5 posted 2000-04-17 10:25 PM


Thank you Martie, Hoot and Denise!

Marge,

a most incredible place, never been anywhere so spiritual.  

Would highly recommend it! You can spend hours there, can explore inside the caves, too.

Thank you for your kind words, Marge.

Corinne

[This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 04-17-2000).]

Parker
Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
6 posted 2000-04-18 12:23 PM


Corinne, this was wonderful. It is very timely for me. I'm right in the middle of a really good book on lost civilizations called Heaven's Mirror. I've got some important sites I want to visit in the next 10 years.... Stonehenge, the Pyramids, and some Arthur sites. These mysteries are so facinating.
Great poem, thanks for the free trip.

Parker

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
7 posted 2000-04-18 11:41 AM


And thank you for the kind words, Parker.

Corinne

TerryW
Senior Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 779
Louisville, Mississippi, USA
8 posted 2000-04-18 05:41 PM


Corinne,
     Lovely poetic tribute to history. It was really fun reading this one, such imagery and mood.   I like it!




 ~you reached inside, you touched my heart,
and I am all the better for it~
Terry A. Woodson, Jr.

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
9 posted 2000-04-20 09:30 AM


I've got to admit that I didn't expect what I found - The title certainly didn't prepare me for the treat I found within... This is great, Corinne... I love learning new stuff from poetry.... Very nicely done, for sure..
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
10 posted 2000-04-20 10:25 AM


Thanks you, Terry and Nan!

Cor

RAM
Member
since 2000-03-24
Posts 153

11 posted 2000-04-28 01:47 PM


Corinne    You captured the spirit beautifully.  I am there every time I read your delicate "blue" bands here.       No wonder people have asked whether you have a connection to this land that predates your actual ancestral presence.

Rick

[This message has been edited by RAM (edited 04-28-2000).]

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