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Open Poetry #14
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Keeper Of The Stones - With Love to Chief Dan George
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Keeper Of The Stones - With Love to Chief Dan George |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
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 ~*Keeper Of The Stones*~© Mysteria 2001I was alone in the deep woods one day, Blindfolded, just trying to sense a tree. When all of a sudden I tripped, On something I was meant to see. I took off the blindfold, Found I was beside a rippling brook. My ankle sore from the tripping, So all around I started to look. I remember it well, as if it was today, The sunlight hit it with a brilliant glint, As I bent down to see what it was, There on the ground lay an age-old flint.  This flint was crafted by the best, Into a now weathered arrowhead, So very long ago, by peoples gone, But whose spirits are never dead. It pointed to the frothy stream, Something else caught my eye in the foam. There lay the smoothest stone, Exactly, like the ones I had at home. I suppose all river stones are smooth, But this black one took a different form, As stones go, it was just a stone, But it was quite a bit larger than the norm. I carefully slid down the riverbank, And plucked it from the stream, How long had it been there waiting? So excited, I could only dream. There was then no doubt in my mind, This was the missing 10th stone, Ecstatic, I wanted to call my son, But in the wilderness, I was alone. For at home, far away from this peace, Was a deerskin pouch holding 9 the same, And a dying elder told me once, The 10 stones represented sadness and shame. I think about that sad distant time, When in my hand he placed each stone, He said centuries of searching had gone by, The whereabouts of the 10th stone was unknown. Could this have been coincidence? This is not mine to understand, I will just keep them home and safe, They belong to the future of land. Further to add to this mystery, Something so surreal was mine to share, And it is because of this incident, I guard those 10 stones with such care. I thought it was all just a dream at first, But the stones, herbs, and feather in the bag are real. And as God’s witness, the stones in that bag, Seem that they are warm in my hand to feel. In the dream I sat around a fire, With elders of the Algonquin tribes, No words were said for the longest time, Then soon each was to read their scribes. And by the hotchelaga, many pledges made. Thousands of years would come to pass, When various keepers would gather as one, Sit in the algoomeaking, on this very grass. The Algonquin were dubbed by white men, As “The people of the great river”, Fish, bass, kept their people alive, And death was white man’s fever. In this dream, as keeper of the stones, One day would come again to pass, These stones would again be needed, To fill the rivers full of bass. I remember the name I had that night, It was Little Snowy Owl, a bird, That flies only in the night, And is seldom seen or heard. I treasure both the dream, the man, And the bag of herbs, feather, and stone, I am proud of my Algonquin roots, I’ll be keeper until the truth is known.  Note to Readers: There are almost 8,000 Algonquin in Canada organized into ten separate First Nations: nine in Quebec and one in Ontario. I would hazard a guess there are many Canadians that are of native heritage that don’t even know it, I am one of them! It took some research but my great, great, Grandmother was full-blooded Algonquin. Thanks MARGE for finding me the information on my roots for our family, we all appreciate it more than you know! Hotchelaga (rapids) algoomeaking “Place for spearing fish” ~*~ Thank you for reading this ~*~  art: Keeper Of The Owls (artist unknown) If anyone knows who did this, please contact me so I may give the artist credit. music: "The Old Ones" "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." ~ Hopi ~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 06-29-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
such a telling indeed.... I bow to the master. heritage is indeed interesting and may help us understand better who we are and to respect those who are around us more. A wonderful tale... filled with wonderful truths... |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
This is a wondrous read...thank you so much for taking the time and allowing us to know of it...and a little more of you... |
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Charisma
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906lost in blue pages |
Impressed by your words....and heritage is so important.....to know your roots...and to find the wealth of your culture. Thank you for sharing this awesome piece. ((hugs)) Charisma |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Mysteria: With the fiscal year ending, it's been a hectic, often miserable week... but now it's ended with the reading of your poem... and that loveliness makes all the other just fade away. *S* This is incredible... I loved every line! |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SisterOfTheKeep~ Beautiful .... beautiful .... Oh, how the spirit walks through the mysterious ways you have come to know. When we cannot explain the unexplainable ... it is our obligation to share it with others ... for in many eyes are seen prophecies of what is to come. To share is to grow ... to grow is to come full-circle. You are encircled by those of ancient bonding, who would take you on journey's you've yet to fly. Remain open for the spirits to enter ... they come in peaceful accord. As earth-vessel you are to receive ... then pour the overflowing thoughts to quench the thirst of others. Chief George entrusted you with the pouch ... you have done as he would have you do. I love you, my gentle friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Jessica
since 2001-06-28
Posts 350South AL |
Mysteria... Simply magnifisent. Thank you for such an intresting piece. What don't kill you can only make you stronger... |
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kismetkelsey Junior Member
since 2001-03-12
Posts 32Canada |
What a masterpiece you have made of this post!Well done and rich with culture and history!BRAVO!!~Hugs~Cheryl |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
sharon- this is wonderful poetry, full of history and heritage!! i enjoyed this very much as it explores both mysteries and destinies and since it expresses the significance and value of looking back to gain a wealth of wisdom amid enigma... thank you for writing and posting this! it's very well done. (a side note is this... some of the poetpeople all assembled together a year and a half or so ago, or is it more, but anyway, we rented a cabin in a park called "algonkian"... hehe.... significant? who knows, but i thought it would be cool to let you know that.... wish you were around then!!) |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Thank you for writing this story! How thrilling for you to discover your roots and have the talent to write about it. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon--You have every reason to be proud..both of your heritage and this poem. I'm so glad that you have shared this special story with us here. Hugs! |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Gentle one, do you not think that Chief Dan George knew what path he had placed your footsteps upon? Dream? Call what you wish, it happened, the stones are in the keepers hands, and in my opinion, very strong hands to hold and protect for when they will be wanted once again...A very nice outpouring from what was, and what was is...very gentle smile |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Sharon~ Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your heritage! You should be very proud, indeed, and of course, this poem is a keeper  And isn't Marge the greatest?!  Take care, Melissa~ |
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Martha Cowan Member
since 2001-03-08
Posts 240Groves, Texas |
Oh, Sharon...how exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!! This had a captivating mystical beauty that drew the reader into the words and the music...a glimpse into the heritage that has always been a part of your spirit...isn't it wonderful to uncover such wonderful secrets! Speaking from Cherokee roots...I can appreciate the glowing pride and happiness this has brought you to know where the roots of the family tree were grown from! Excellent work, Sharon! (and, you too, Marge!!!!) Hugs and much love to you, dawn |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
I am blown away this is amazing, you are such a wonderful, beautiful woman |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
~*~ Wow ~*~ Thank you all for reading this ~*~ Cpat Hair: I am honored that you read this and enjoyed it. ~*~ Lady In White: Thank you for taking the time to read my story. ~*~ Charisma: I woke up today after going back to sleep with a force so strong, it had to be written for some reason, so thank you. ~*~ Suthern: I am so glad this soothed you through year-end, my heart goes out to you, those are murder aren't they? ~*~ Marge: I could write about about your heart! For you to go out of your way to do this for me, and find my heritage is something I and members of my family are not going to forget. No one ever bothered to even look before, and now everyone is busy trying to find out more answers. I shall now be a vessel from which all these thoughts I have held in for so long will flow, and now I understand why all these years I had this fascination with writing Native poetry, God bless you Marge, and thank you. ~*~ Jessica: I am proud to have shared this with you and thank you for reading it. ~*~ KismetKelly (Cheryl): Oh thank you for coming over to share this, and a big hug to you. ~*~ Doreen: I would have come in a second! I say we organize that again, how about it? I would absolutely love a Passions Pow Wow, is anyone game? Let's take it to that forum place and see what happens. Thanks for reading this, I do appreciate your kind words. ~*~ Trillium: I am more thank thrilled to discover the answers to many questions that have haunted me for years, thank you for reading and enjoying. ~*~ Martie: Hugs back to you, and thank you for reading it. ~*~ Logan: Ditto what I said to Marge, for I now have the freedom to speak that which is in my heart to share with all. I know what was some, and now I am not afraid of what is to be. Thank you Logan. ~*~ Melissa: Yes! Marge is the greatest for sure, and thank you for calling this a keeper, that is my keeper I believe, thank you. ~*~ Martha (Dawn): Now is this wonderful or what, we really are SISTERS of the circle, doesn't that just tickle your heart? I love you girl, and thanks for reading Sis. ~*~ Sea: Didn't mean to blow you away, but I am sure glad you liked it. Thank you. Thank you all for being so kind as to read this bit of my heritage. "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." ~ Hopi ~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 06-30-2001).] |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Sharon- Wow...this is such a wonderful story, and what a great piece of your heritage. Isn't Marge awesome?!! That was so sweet of her to track down this information for you, and you have done an incredible job of sharing it with the rest of us... Thank you.. I absolutely love it! hugs to you, ~vicky "...until you have read the verse on his |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
A wonder of a dream told from the flow of your blood encouraged spirit....I salute you from the great light that fills the sky and share this in the same consciousness that we humans share.....peace to you and your heritage no matter what the sum may be...... the answer..... is another mark on the face of humankind which is you.....May the past bless you in the future! [This message has been edited by ethome (edited 06-30-2001).] |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Simply fabulous...James |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Vicky: Yuppers, that Marge is a bit of alright, alright! Thank you for liking this one it was an important one to me. ethome: I feel a little more humble since sharing of that dream, and thank you for your kind words. I shall share it further in time. James Michael: That sir, was the highest compliment I think I have ever been paid, and I thank you. "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Sharon, your poem and its presentation are first class. Pride in roots and heritage are wonderful qualities for a person to have and it doesn't surprise that you have them in spades. You obviously have great pride in your ancestors and I've little doubt that they are also proud of you.....as they should be. You do them a great honor.... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Ah sweet Balladeer, guess what you made a few tears here. Thank you so much for first of all really liking this one, and also for seeing the total respect I feel for this whole HUGE transformation that is taking place within my heart and soul. I truly have no control over this one, it control me! Thank you for reading this, and yes I am proud, and do hope to make someone proud of me too. You realize you made my day right? |
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SmittenKitten Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131where the sky and horizon meet |
What an amazing tale! Makes me want to dig down and discover what my roots are Thank you for sharing this great poem!~Krista |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
SmittenKitten: Dig, dig, you never know what you will find, and thank you for reading my story, I appreciate it. "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
This is stunning, Sharon, I really appreciate the work you put into this! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Beautifully woven Sharon ... ancestral roots filled with pride and admiration shine through your words. Your heritage is a rich one indeed, and you've done it proud with this lovely and thought-provoking piece. Very nicely written! Best wishes, /Kit |
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FiGHT_aGaiNST_FoRM Junior Member
since 2001-05-01
Posts 13aMeRiCa |
nicely done...a tribute to many...thanks for sharing... Todd “I hate quotations, tell me something you know” –Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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FiGHT_aGaiNST_FoRM Junior Member
since 2001-05-01
Posts 13aMeRiCa |
great work on this one, M. Keep it up! --Todd “I hate quotations, tell me something you know” –Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Irish Rose: Thank you, and actually this one came together faster than most do. Kit: Thank you for taking the time to read this as you know your opinion of work means so much to me. Todd (FaF): Thank you, glad you liked this one. "Lose your temper and you lose a friend; lie and you lose yourself." |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Fight Against Form: Thank you for the kind compliment. If I have made you smile today, then I have done my job! ~* Mysteria *~ |
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