Tears of joy, tears of pain, we are reflected in the salt-water pools we create. So let us build a fleet of paper boats and sail them on our ocean of indecision, laughing at the wind-whipped white-crested waves that would wash over us, drowning us in our own despair, yet somehow never vanquishing us in the end.
Coyote smoked his cigarette, And as he watched the smoke Rise spiralling to the stars, I could tell he was planning a prank From where I sat across the fire.
“We’re going to grab us some moonlight And put it in a bag; And when Nokomis finds it’s missing We’ll just play wide-eyed, You and I.”
“Coyote,” I said, “how in the world Do you go bagging moonlight? That’s like trying to capture a sigh Or a ray of sunshine, Or a passing breeze.”
“You just leave it to me,” he said With that glint in his golden eye. Then he turned up his furry face And gave a howl into the night. It echoed off the hills.
Then he whipped out a leather pouch And opened it wide to the night; And just as quick he drew the drawstring tight, Tucked it back behind his belt, And took another drag.
“You haven’t got anything there,” I said, Smirking at him through the flames. “Whyn’t you show me.” “No way,” said he, “the light’ll get out And there won’t be any trick!”
Just then Nokomis entered the circle, A scowl on her ageless face And something else, a smudge, Darkening one cheek.
“Nanabozho,” she said, her voice like cool silver, “Coyote,” she shouted, now the anger clear; “Trickster,” she thundered, a vein pulsing in her neck, “What have you done with my light?”
Coyote bayed at the stars, Yipped like a kit, Danced on his hind legs and laughed And turned to me, “Now do you believe?”
And I sat there, mouth agaping, As the fire died down to coals, As Nokomis waited for her answer And the stars wheeled above And the night owl hooted in the trees.
Coyote leapt up and danced; He pulled out the leather pouch, Tossing it from hand to hand, And when Nokomis was fit to burst He pulled the string,
And out burst a blaze of moonlight, Silver and brilliant and clear, And Nokomis burst into brilliance And outshone the stars as she glowed, Her light restored.
But of course you don’t believe me Like I didn’t believe Coyote. How do you capture a moonbeam And hide it in a rawhide pouch On a starry, moonless night?
2 Comments:
I know how. You look at the moon and the light gets caught in your eyes.
But the night is moonless.
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