Totems

The Totem © The totem speaks of the tribe’s history, lore, deeds of courage Animals, fish and gods carved in reverence, from a fallen tree hundreds of years old, living wood, with a face, a fish, a bear, a bird marching down it’s trunk, a seemingly random sprinkle of obelisks in a circle, tells of incredible faith true enough to move tons of stone Totems today, statuary in the front garden, wooden rooster atop the mail box, the weather vane dressed in golden green patina. Carvings of flowers, frolicking baby squirrels and rabbits on a sign at the front door, A mural brushed upon a barn wall, the flag of a beloved country, the lone star of a beloved state, the wind chimes of dolphins, stars, frogs, and spoons capturing the breeze, singing a song of welcome Tribes today paint their vehicles in much the same way that the People painted their sturdy, brave little horses before a battle Circles of paint about the eyes for truer vision, hand prints on shoulder and flank to ward off the spear, ornaments braided into mane and tail to celebrate victory Bumper stickers, magnetic ribbons, all totems to tell members of other tribes what is believed in, what the tribe stands for; support this, hate that, down with this, up with that proud to be a redneck, a woman, a boater, a parent, a fisherman, a politician, a farmer, a dancer, a soldier, an Aggie, a sailor, an Irishman, a lover of guns. Trisha Sugarek Butterflies and Bullets