A tree beside the river

A tree, beside a river
winding through the forest
Standing tall, drinking in her waters
she becomes part of me
and I become part of her,

Connecting in circles
stillness and calm meet
motion always circulating.
I stand here, a tree
beside a beautiful river.

She creates photographs
capturing moments of reflection.
Pieces of time to share
opening links to remembering
beauty and life's magic.

Interconnected

Feeling connected
my consciousness awakens
tuning out the noise.

Becoming one with all,
listening as river flows
I can hear nature.

Imagine a tree
standing beside a river
breathing in and out,

Returning magic
From the air we are sharing
Interconnected.

A path awaits us
where the sun rises each day
with guides seeking peace.

Understanding love,
being here now, happiness
We are one people.

Ancestors will rise
To help us in our progress
Their spirit shines bright.

"Manke naa lye autien?"

"Grandfather, where are we going today?"
"We are following the path Mikel,"

"But where does it lead? We've gone on a thousand walks and you always answer me the same. What is the path and why does it feel stronger in some places?"

Grandfather smiles at the questions. These walks are so enjoyable because of his grandson's endless curiosity, always asking for names of destinations,
details on how we'll arrive, requests for directions.

"Alright Mikel, if you really must know where we are going today,
you must close your eyes and continue walking."

"But grandfather I will not be able to see where I am going,
I'm not very good at walking with my eyes closed.
Remember how I fell in the river last spring."

"I remember. You simply were not watching where you were going.
There is a difference between closing your eyes and not watching."

Mikel closes his eyes slowly following the trail beside the river.
After only a few steps he feels a tree branch brushing his ankle.
Opening his eyes he scans the ground for the branch,
but there is nothing there.

"Why did you open your eyes?
There is no branch rubbing against your leg."

"How did you know I thought there was a branch grandfather?"
"Your thoughts are out there in the open, child, they are easy to read.

"Now I want you to close your eyes and breathe through your nose.
Feel your toes sink into the ground. The trees are calling you,
so this morning we are trees.

"Imagine your toes spreading beneath the soil like roots.
Drink in fresh water to strengthen your trunk.

"Let your hands sink beside you until you feel the sun on your face.
Feel its warmth run deep through you.
As it combines with the water, you will feel magic occur.
Allow your arms and hands to move where they will
remembering they are your branches filling with leaves."

Mikel follows the directions his grandfather gives.
The feeling his grandfather calls magic is amazing.
He begins feeling the glow spread through his body to his fingertips.
He connects with everything in the forest.

Seasons cycle past in the blink of his eyes.
His glow feels stronger as he listens to his grandfather's voice
whispering instructions. His eyes begin to open.

"Where are we going?" he tries to ask,
but the wind hushes his thoughts.

His arms sway and Mikel feels magic all around.
It's as if his fingers have intertwined with all the trees of the forest.

Powerfully, he stands drinking the water through his toes
listening to the river.

In the distance, Mikel hears voices different than his grandfathers.
He realizes they are approaching.
He tries to lift his eyelids to see who it is.
He can barely make out the shape of what looks to be a boy and his father.
There is laughter in their voices.

"Manke naa lye autien?" he says
and the little boy looks right at him.

He feels as if he is looking into a mirror.
A smile greets him.

thank you elves of the grey-company organization for translation

Happy New Year abc's

Arriving in a new year, full of hope for things to come
all gather beside the river, we have much to share

Bringing love and kindness for travelers
both friends and strangers

Creating consciousness in energy
calling others to join

Directions to a sacred meeting-
destination off the beaten path

Eagle's flight guides those
expressing desire for more

Freedom in daily life
finding your own path

Grow as an individual
giving it all away

Happiness comes from within
holding your children close

Insist to live magnificently
imagining a world of peace

Journey beside a river
just beyond the mountain

Kitties follow while
King's "Dream" seems possible this year

Let go of nationalism
loving all people, we're of the same mother

Make today special

mastering peace of mind

here is a question
who do we depend upon

maybe you know who
it is us we keep

north like the Mi'kmaq
beside the river

play like a kid at recess

waiting for the sun to come out

looking forward to meeting you
fingertips the shape of V

our time is now
turn off the box

peace today
awakens from zzzz

Tree Faces

Meet these trees while out walking one day. They have much to say to us if we will listen. Craagen(the one with the mustache) says, "When you realize a bombs only purpose is destruction, you begin to see that war is foolishness." Meergi tells us her idea is to spend the money people spend on war, and rather than purchasing guns and bombs, buy food and deliver it to areas where people are hungry.

These trees live beside the river facing one another. I assume they share their thoughts on man and our problems when it is in our thoughts. When thoughts change to the beauty of the woods we are standing in, they tend to think of how incredible it is to be one with this world.

Meergi's idea consumes me still as I sit down to write. So many in this world go to bed hungry each night, and as people we can do so much to help others. We can find those who need us and think of them as our brothers and sisters. We have been taught to consume and have forgotten how to give. We can change that in a moment's time. It begins with our individual thoughts and actions.

A new year arrives and with it change is necessary. When you happen upon Craagen and Meergi on your travels through the woods, say "Hi" from me and thank them for the wisdom they are willing to share.