One night, I awoke remembering
the end of a dream like a movie trailer
Between shrouds of murky clouds unfolding
I saw the ancient wooden face carved on a totem
Perhaps an anonymous spokesman at death’s door
Perhaps my projection, just my reflection
or a phantom, a disturbing conundrum, I dare not say
I felt a withering mortality at my core
Yet, it contained all my living tree rings within
my years of stories, husky or thin
This shaman totem mask began to slowly speak
At first its mystical verse was somewhat oblique
Then in rich, tranquil tones, in humane inflexions
the face spoke, redolent and subliminal in my thoughts
Breathing deeply, I intuited what I was taught
Some seek refuge in still flower gardens
in stationary reflective pools of quiescence
in glistening golden altars to numina
But these material places are ever-changing
Illumination is the great revelation rearranging
of the consciousness animating all things
jack-o-lantern totem was quiet and good
staying on the porch like a totem should
oak tree guarded her through the night
enjoying her flickering candle light
other animals gathered around to gawk
a porcupine, squirrel, crow and large beaked hawk
jack-o-lantern totem shared her light with all
she was a marvelous asset to our porch that fall
she does not have a cat, a bat or an owl I was told
What does she have? Is she young or quite old?
We want to surprise you, said my cousins that day
A few minutes later I spied an alligator coming my way
On that back of that gator was a lady wearing a pointed hat.
That’s her isn’t it, I said, feeling delighted, glad it was not a cat.
For I am terrified of cats, one bit me when I was very young.
Petting an alligator might be insanely fun.
You are the totem, simply told,
In man and mountain lore
Pillared tall, your spirit thrives
Where myths and legends soar –
Among the ravens where they fly,
With creed held fast in hand,
You speak the language of the earth;
You sound the depths of man
And grasp the wisdom of the pearl
Fashioned in the sea,
Calling for the conch to voice
The truth you know to be –
A monolith of latitudes,
With grace not undermined,
Lamenting as the deaf and dumb
Are handled by the blind,
You wear the scars of battles waged
Across the centuries
And grant the bearer of your wounds
The marks of history –
Where now you stand, you now arise
To face the rising tide;
You see the quiet burning sun;
You hear the ocean’s cry
Raise now your silent, muted voice!
Lift up your hooded eyes!
Let loose the chains that time has forged
Where truth and beauty lie –
Exalt us with your noble height!
Bestir the waking land!
Totem, in your boundless grace,
Call forth a better man –
patience and wisdom
grounded emotional depth
a steady progress
seeks healthy boundaries
regular self-reliance
the turtle totem
a tribal totem
power animals honored
cherished spirit guides
bear and little moose
pintail duck deer cardinal
heartfelt ancestry
Was it last year, or yesterday?
Old Totem asks Taboo
Who ordered orchestra to play
Was it myself or you?
We never ever ordered that
Replied to this Taboo
But they performed a finest set
Played waltz and boogaloo
So did we dance that night away?
Good Totem asks Taboo
I thought it was the other day
But doubt if it’s true
Your got the memory lapse, my dear
Replied the sweet Taboo
Last time we danced the other year
On Christmas rendezvous
Seems our ship is on delay
Said Totem to Taboo
Its getting late, so why to stay
What are we here to do?
Relax and wait for crescent moon
To Totem said Taboo
I’ll take a ride from here soon
Don’t know about you
So won’t you leave me something small
Asked Totem his Taboo
A little bit of your sweet soul
For memory of you
I’m sorry to upset you, friend
Grinned wonderful Taboo
My soul I would not recommend
I’ve stolen it from you.
a ghostly figure swooped down into the night
I got my vision goggles out to see what I could
a bird flying? an omen? a native american totem?
knew not.
Wyandotte princess sent her favored owl out to the camps
she trusted his council, he would come back with a plan
a link between her ancestors and her offspring,
an ancient wise entity, in the form of a hoot owl
he would be full of ideas,
she allowed herself to dream
knowing this is how he would convey
the plan to save her tribe from the marauders
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.
Red Fox is a totem being,
for in true wisdom, he is seeing,
though in dreams, an image fleeting;
it bears repeating, it bears repeating.
Reminds us all, we have to laugh,
have fun, play, be a little bit chaff,
though some may call you, old Falstaff;
you’re not riffraff, you’re not riffraff.
Late at night, when old moon beams,
red fox will come into your dreams,
he can lead you to great schemes;
wise guide it seems, wise guide it seems.
Red fox wisdom upon dream scroll,
says keep your eyes upon your goal,
while with humor you can grow;
you’ll become whole, you’ll become whole.
For in humor, wisdom is found,
never be in sadness found,
his advice will keep you sound;
great things abound, great things abound.
Goofy Woofy Halloween totem is sitting proudly.
Gawkers are making comments, some rather loudly.
A few make fun of the animals, as they look funny.
I am not one of them. My disposition is sunny.
Goofy Woofy Halloween totem makes me want to play.
It is sitting in the cornfield on a warm October day.
They take their job seriously, inviting and warm.
The bees swoop in to gawk at them, cozy in a swarm.
I saw a jack-o-lantern totem in the field across the street.
Three faces smiling at me. Their attitude could not be beat.
The top one was the smallest, and gray which was odd.
The bottom jack was black. She gave me a sassy nod.
The middle jack-o-lantern looked like one I made one day.
I watched these merry jacks, and I felt joyful and so gay!
An energetic wedge of blue cranes doing mating dances
entered into Little Bear’s dream state without warning
Are they my totem? My spiritual advisors? My power animals?
He believed in such things, being Navaho.
He asked the revered shaman for advice
The crane will bring you luck and fortune
You will succeed where others have failed.
Keep him; he will teach you to prioritize.
The blue crane specifically will bring you peace.
Teach you to meditate, and be mindful.
You will better listen to the universe.
She is always speaking.
Little Bear had always been cheerful,
But this dream uplifted his heart.
Made him incredibly joyful.
He was a changed brave.
With the wisdom of your power animal
It is time to face the shadows
Be fearless without nocturnal fears
Seek wisdom in silence, as your totem, owl
Your truth is parading in the dark.
To reach your highest self
You will become an owl
Wisely soaring past the highest trees
Opening doorways to higher realms
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