Great Blue Heron
In the valley of
the sun, when time had just begun.
In a time of ice and snow, where misty fingers caressed the mountain tops
and cedars stood bough to bough.
As people sat in villages where no music played or voice sang on melodious
tone, only tears ran down faces leathered by the sun.
Her spirit was sad within her, her sorrow great and the pain so deep she
could not speak.
No laughter or joy was found within her she could only weep.
The children and
the old ones were the first to cry no more. No more to walk and
smile in the valley of the sun..
No more to play, and laugh and run.
The medicine woman had no healing for the hunger in them.
She had no food to give, only the love within her kept her strong inside.
Love and strength within her would keep them all alive.
She would see her
brother the heron. He would be their guide.
The heron in this ancient time was as white as snow and could speak like
man.
He was the hunter patient and strong. He would have the
answer. He would have the plan.
With her cape of
steel blue wrapped round about her she moved into the night, with only
moon to guide her the journey had begun.
For many days she traveled, in search of where he nested far form the
valley of the sun.
There she called to him, half whisper, half cry.
Why won’t you answer me, why?
Here am I,
sister, from the valley of the sun.
Why do you seek me why have you come?
My people are
dying, they are starving in the valley of the sun. The men have left
now for many moons and no runner comes to tell us of their return.
For many moons there has been no meat over fires to burn.
Help us brother, for I have nowhere else to turn.
The bitter cold
and snow embraced them as he pondered what to do.
He could feel the sorrow deep within her as the tears she cried turned to
ice as they ran down her face.
I could help you, but only one will leave this place.
She took the
cloak wrapped tightly round about her and around the heron it was placed.
Now go she said to him softly for new life has begun.
The heron turned from white to steel blue and giant wings he flew, to
honor his sister from the valley of the sun.
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