Peyote

Shadows dance upon the plains as spirits speak their prayers
In the light of the flickering flames they reflect in flares
Smoke and ash, they hint their times when they too were alive
And in shadow dance they visit to show where some must stride

Secrets learned that should be shared with those who are in need
The Spirits watch for moments when those seek them to lead
In the juice of the cactus the Spirits hide a way
For some to ingest and see them in the light of day

The magic of the afterworld consumes the mortal man
As he tries to find the spirit that will lead him on the sands
Cactus juice and wonder become a mystic sight
To those who only watch in the silent of the night

Buttons grow in flaming winds as voices start to sing
The spirit of the man though caged can touch this sacred thing
Peyote chant and lullaby fill the desert air
And ancestral blood responds to life with its Native care

“Oh, Spirits of my Native blood I need your open arms
To comfort me tonight and guide me through these storms
They stand before me like a darkened looming beast
I need your seeing eyes that rises from the East”

“I plead to my fellow man, show me the right way”
Spiraling smoke, whispers and a chanting haunting bay
   Screaming blood and drops of rain come down and disappear
Shadows dance upon the walls pulsing echoes near

Like ghostly strength with windy tails filling all the air
Rising from the sands with heavy burdens bare
They twinkle in the sky, they flutter on the ground
They become the atmosphere and sing their lonely sound

My ancestral Peyote lullaby wipe away my tears
And my ancestral spirits help me face my fears
My eyes grow heavy in this peyote dream
And I seek a place to set myself beside the quiet stream

Harmony grows from my mouth as I lie to face the stars 
They too are things to admire each symbols of ancient wars
I sing to the heavens that hold my future lands
But I rest quite comfortably here on my Native sands

Oh Peyote, the cactus that grows from our ground
My Peyote song is the only emitted sound
And I sing til I break into my peaceful sleep
To dance with the cactus that is meant for me to keep

Copyright © Jeanette Ozee | Year Posted 2006

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