CUTTING OF THE CANE

Running with eyes wide open and the spirit of the wolf watching
Under the moon of the green corn, 
We ran through the heavily laden path of the fresh green stalks 
In the mist of the evening day, when the sun was away, 
Feeling the warm earth beneath our feet and the heartbeat 
That the mother does send covering our spirit within
The orange and yellow flames of the old fire 
Outrageously burn as smoke and sparks rise to the sky, 
To greet the air that flows around, above and beneath us
Creator does hear the pounding breath 
And joyful voices of the children that are so near...

The cane cracks as it drops to the earth
The smell of green is about...

Grandmother stands near the pot that boils the cane 
Working to drop another one in...
She hums an old song...and the work has begun...

Ah Ho!

 Camile Kay Bishop
Windsong
Copyright May 14, 2002