 Title:
The Dance Between Feathers
Author: Jeanette Walker
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About the Author:
Currently living in
Nevada and in the course of researching her family tree
she came upon information that confirmed her Native blood
line. Although the exact tribe is still in question
the fact that there is Native blood on both sides of the
tree brings understanding to her heart.
As a child her thoughts on
spiritual matters never really conformed to the
traditional Catholic up bringing. She saw and felt the
connection to both religions in the path the prayers take.
As a child she understood and spoke more with her heart
and now in her adult years has listened and put to pen the
words that flow from her heart.
Both her Grandmother and
Mother wrote poetry and it is her hopes to one day put a
collection together. You see, her son also writes from his
heart and to have four generations' collections together,
would make a wonderful tribute to the history between
them.
Jeanette
can be contacted at :Snowwolf1895@earthlink.net.
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The
Dance Between Feathers
The movement begins with the slow rhythmic beat of the drum. From a
distance
the sound travels with the wind and it is carried to the mountains. From
the
fire sparks the dance, with the beat and the whole night it carries a mystic
image. Raising in the smoke the feathers form and begin to ignite in the
hearts the dance from old and the dance to come. Swaying in the night
breeze
the feathers from the flame join the feathers held in the hand of the dancers.
As one they drift to the East and in this place they see.
The East offers to them the wisdom of the falling feather, the one that gives
itself to all so that more will grow. In the steps that are drawn from the
heart of the East comes the gift of growth. The arms stretch with the
feathers held tight and in the flight of this comes the gift and a new growth
is formed.
A beginning has begun.
The dancers move their bodies now slightly faster and to the South. Switching
and turning their feet and arms to the beat they move. They increase their
short steps with just a hint more purpose.
The South offers to them the wisdom of the feather forgotten. This one
scurries to move out of the way of those that do not see. As the feather
shuffles to find a resting place the movement of the feather is swift and
fast. Darting under a bush only to be brought out from its place of
momentary
rest. Crouching low to feel the beat of Mother Earth the feather finds time to
contemplate the innocence's lost.
A change has begun.
The feather dancers move now to the West with a purpose. Their steps
change,
they become wider and harder on the ground, now they stomp. In this way
their
arms move in a circular motion and flap to the beat that is drawn from their
feet.
The West offers them the wisdom of the rising feather a knowledge of where the
movement comes from. This is a sight of knowing how the heart beats and
from
where the beat comes. Each step, each flap, each movement contains the
gift
of winds to come. The flame moves faster now and the feathers move towards
the unknown.
A future has begun.
Continuing, the feather dancers move to the North. Timidly they approach
this
direction but their steps hold true to the others learned. Purpose and
grace
has been renewed and a realization awaits each movement.
The North offers them the final wisdom of the feather far above. The
completion of movement has come close to an end. Here all the messages of
the
Great Mystery are relived. Each feather takes on a life of its own and
movement is now with a necessity of completeness. Posturing to the great
unknown becomes the gift. A swoop of the feather to the Father above and
one
to the Mother below brings with it the wind of time.
A closing has begun.
Slowly the flame transcends this place it is burning and all becomes quite.
The drums beat but only in the exhausted hearts of the dancers. The
feather
dancers mend their movements; the feathers are outstretched to the Creator.
Round and round they begin to move. With the Star Ones watching and the
Directions speaking the circle completes its message.
Listening now, for all know that time is a gift and each of us contains enough
time to give to another. Each of us, the feather dancers, are gifted with
steps and the Feathers they smile. They bring to our hearts a peaceful rhythm
to last till we reach the North winds.
Love and Light...
Jeanette Walker
(C)
Jeanette Walker - All Rights Reserved
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