A White Tail Feather

The still of the lake calms my soul
I wait beneath the willow.
A breeze moves through her branches
lightly touching my face,
sweeping the hair from my eyes.
An Eagle calls in the distance.

My mind races with pictures and words,
adventures and quests of self and we.
Along the horizon lined with dark blue waters
bursts colors of red and orange.
I offer my asemaa.
An Eagle glides above calling my name.

Morning rises as I answer my old friend.
A gentle ripple forms on the lake
as the wind delivers our greetings to the other.
His calls are carried to my open arms.
His words pass through me.
I hear the call of an Eagle leaving with the wind.

He lands on the broken arm of an ash
on the sands of the shore near the willow.
Praising me for walking the path
many have guided me towards for years.
A choice of life destined to be.
My first tracks are laid down.

He lifts his wings and stretches
to a magnificent size of honor and respect
wisdom and truth with humility.
He tells me to listen and be open
to what crosses my path
for this is just the beginning.

Rising with every flap of his powerful wings
he lifts into the blue sky calling his goodbye.
I answer with gratitude and love
as I notice something lying on a rock.
He has left for me a piece of him
a white tail feather.

This poem is for One Shot Wednesday held by One Stop Poetry. To read other peoples works click here

30 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. dustus
    Aug 24, 2010 @ 23:30:48

    Love going to the lake; sometimes return with souvenirs like feathers and rocks, small reminders for the things I see and thoughts they prompt. Those moments of reflection are priceless. Thoughtful poem. thanks

    Reply

  2. moondustwriter
    Aug 24, 2010 @ 23:35:18

    Wow that is a powerful poem. It soars up with the eagle. Can feel the relationship of all living things

    thanks for sharing with One Shot

    moon smiles

    Reply

  3. SenderUpWords
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 09:20:21

    Thoroughly enjoyed this (seem to be saying that a lot today, hmmm!)

    I love; “He tells me to listen and be open…”

    Great One Shot…

    Be Inspired Today! Love and Light, Sender

    Reply

    • River
      Aug 25, 2010 @ 10:27:45

      Thank you! Now I have to do it. It’s easier to write the words then actually listen. lol! We always have lessons to learn. Some we have to keep learning till we get it. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Desert Rose
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 09:20:54

    I truly love this poem,it is very strong..touched me on many levels..beautiful one shot 🙂

    Reply

  5. brian
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 09:40:39

    this was so peaceful…i love nature and the gentle rhythms that they teach us…so much to learn about life…nice one shot!

    Reply

  6. Talon
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 10:09:49

    This was so beautiful. At one with your surroundings, hearing and seeing and feeling it and then sharing it in a beautiful poem.

    Reply

  7. Eric Alder
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 12:43:52

    So, your name is “EeeAAaaah”? (Just kidding!)

    Wonderful piece! I especially like the white tail feather at the end, like a final period.

    Reply

  8. Kavita
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 16:09:10

    A very relaxing and calm peace (oops.. piece)
    At certain places, it kinda reminded me of scenes from the book ‘Jonathan Livingstone Seagull’…

    This poem played in my mind like a movie… very lovely.. saw the magnificent Eagle, the rock, the feather too… sometimes, you are destined to find certain things, and when you do, it suddenly dawns on you that it was just meant to be!
    A very beautifully written piece.. enjoyed reading it!!!

    Reply

    • River
      Aug 25, 2010 @ 18:16:22

      Thank you Kavita! Let me explain a little. Migizi ninindoodem. My clan is Eagle. I am Ojibwe and believe in traditional ways. I will try and explain later, company just arrived.

      Reply

  9. Gay Cannon
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 16:23:13

    On the rock–a bit of luck, a part of the sky, part of a universe, a gift, a vital vane, a white tail feather. Great imagery and observation. Thank you.

    Reply

  10. in the hush of the moon
    Aug 25, 2010 @ 21:43:25

    you made me feel the wind, the brush of eagle wing… i hope you’ll join me for imperfect prose on thursdays. thanks so much for stopping by my place today, friend. e.

    Reply

  11. ram0singhal
    Aug 26, 2010 @ 01:24:47

    divine……reading your blog is like creating a film to visualise the poems…
    starting from……..dusk it begins….. till …..white tail feathers……all quite nice..
    God in details…….especially in tails…..precisely in tail feathers…..so soft….

    love all….

    Reply

  12. pete marshall
    Aug 26, 2010 @ 08:03:07

    i have been thinking a lot about willows of late (long story)..so your opening pulled me in straight away…at the same time its no secret that i am passionate about birds..you had a great mix here and used some very powerful descriptions..i rode the breeze on an eagles back..cheers for sharing with one shot..pete

    Reply

  13. PattiKen
    Aug 26, 2010 @ 11:01:01

    I love the silent connection between the narrator and the eagle. On some level, I believe. Very nice One Shot.

    Reply

  14. River
    Aug 27, 2010 @ 04:07:33

    On some level it is true. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Jamie Dedes
    Aug 30, 2010 @ 16:41:01

    Oh my, I really do like this. A dialogue with an eagle … rocks … feathers … river. What could be more delightfully introverted. Charming.

    Reply

  16. HometownRealty
    Aug 30, 2010 @ 19:00:27

    Lovely written. Very Nice! I miss hunting whitetails in my farm

    Reply

  17. River
    Aug 31, 2010 @ 16:02:23

    Miigwech~ Thank you Everyone!

    Reply

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