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Aiyana Finds Her Totem Animal

Aiyana is a tiny bit jealous of her brothers.
They get to be in the sweat lodge with the men tonight.
This means they will soon be discovering their totem animals.
Why is this only for males in the Shoshone tribe? She asks her mother.

At three in the morning Aiyana finds herself out of her body.
She is now a furry wolf, running with sister wolves
She feels their loyalty and appreciates their appreciation.
They have embraced her, she is one with them, part of the pack.

We have chosen you, they tell her, for you are intelligent.
She recognizes their shrewdness and their intuitive ways.
She runs with them throughout the night sky.
In the morning, she howls her appreciation to the heavens.

Copyright © Caren Krutsinger

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Book: Reflection on the Important Things