Tuesday, July 23, 2013

what's in a name ???

Departing Vancouver International Airport
Grace @ Everyday Amazing


I knelt on the dirt floor of the cabin
       and asked the elders for my name

They in turn asked the wind & sky
       to measure the breath & bones of me    

They looked north for brightest stars
       and wingspan reach of the eagles,

Claw prints of the bear & coal eyes of ravens
       for spirit of man & animals are one & the same  

Listening to the full moon's tide song,
      they meditated on my purpose in life

Finally, in a dream, my name came- 
      whispered by the giant spruce trees

My name is bestowed, entwining my spirit
      & flesh, sweetgrass is ceremoniously burned

A pipe is solemnly passed from one to another 
      While plums & grapes piled ripe on wooden table
    
Drawing close my fur beaded in red & black,
       I draw circles & lines that connect me to the roots

Of our Turtle Islands, of all women:
       My tongue rolls my name – storyteller. 


Inspiration:  Nokomis – She is an Ojibwa artist and storyteller who grew up in the bush north of Lake Superior more than seventy years ago.    
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - OpenLinkNight - every Tuesday

42 comments:

  1. Love these lines... Drawing close my fur beaded in red & black,
    I draw circles & lines that connect me to the roots

    Of our Turtle Islands, of all women:
    My tongue rolls my name – storyteller.

    Gorgeous!

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  2. very cool...there's so much in a name i think - just thinking about some people in the bible whose names got changed when their life and destination changed - really cool on feeling the name in a way as well as you describe it

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    1. I like your perspective Claudia ~ Thanks ~

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  3. Great story in these lines, Grace, and it would be your name.

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  4. a truly magical story, thank you for sharing, Grace :)

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  5. entwining spirit and flesh,
    yes, this

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  6. Beatiful. I really love this piece! Wonderfully written...peace, Jason

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  7. I love all storytellers, for obvious reasons. Thank you Grace.

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  8. Lovely and very evocative. The tone is near perfection.

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  9. Perfect, Story teller indeed.

    "They in turn asked the wind & sky
    to measure the breathe & bones of me

    They looked north for brightest stars
    and wingspan reach of the eagles,

    Just loved these lines...and all but especially these and the way this all evokes powerful imagery.

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  10. That's the kind of thought that should go into everyone's name...

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  11. Loved the naming ceremony...we should all be given names after we become ourselves, should we not...:)

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  12. Excellent storytelling! This is mysterious but easy to read. Thanks.

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  13. You've woven the mystical world into the real.>KB

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  14. And the British think THEY know how to do ceremony.

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  15. ah storyteller, what a name that is eh? it fits...love the ritual in this...fascinating...love the drawing of the lines to connect you to the roots as well...nice grace....

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  16. I love storyteller mame:)
    what could be my name! I think.something likr cooker or baker maybe? ha the funny I studied.and work Secretary lol but I love more by a Baker:)
    nice Grace!

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  17. every thing in a name ...so important . such a picture of the caring community here and great words ....

    They in turn asked the wind & sky
    to measure the breathe & bones of me

    They looked north for brightest stars
    and wingspan reach of the eagles,

    Claw prints of the bear & coal eyes of ravens
    for spirit of man & animals are one & the same ...loving this poem...thankyou!

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  18. This gave me the chills. I have a storyteller sculpture in my office. Such wonderful traditions that come from our Native American history. Beautifully told.

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  19. Mystically entertaining, reads almost like a ritual of life!

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  20. to measure the breathe & bones of me


    This is beautiful Grace--from beginning to end

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  21. Story-teller of old did wield strong influence in their tribe! And they are remembered as much as the other famous chiefs and medicine men! Nicely Grace!

    Hank

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  22. This is beautiful, what a serious and significant way to bestow a name. My daughter and son-in-law are now struggling with what name to give their baby girl, due in November. Too bad they have no such rituals to rely upon. I enjoyed reading this Grace.

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  23. Amazing.. what a name.. I loved everything about it. :-)

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  24. You can sure weave a tale too, safe trip home to your zoo, unless you are already back, then happy day lol

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  25. You had me with what's in a name, Grace. Love the mystery behind this. Good write.

    Pamela

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  26. 'Storyteller' a name to be proud of. Each couplet stands alone for its strength -beautiful.

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  27. O beautifully drawn, couplet after couplet, each a step in the connection of being. I knew some of the symbols but seeing them in this cycle of discovery adds lots of meaning. I like the photo too.

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  28. Storyteller - a perfect name. Love the cadence of this, has a great feel.

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  29. And what a great storyteller you are, Grace!

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  30. this is wonderful. you've captured the profound power of naming and how it is received.

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  31. Absolutely wonderful writing. The name, whispered by giant spruce trees--and those trees know all the ancient stories. Lovely work!

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  32. Well, of course my favorite word is "Turtle" =P

    I love your banner at the top of the page!! It's beautiful!

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  33. Sublime & evocative Grace. I love your new banner and your description of self.
    Beauty ;-)

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  34. Gorgeous words intrinsic to our being..the naming, the blessing, the benediction. Well done!

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  35. I absolutely love this Grace. What is...in a name. Exactly. My totem is the turtle (a bit of insight into the naming of my site) and this gives such wisdom and depth into who we are. Smiles

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  36. This poem flowed beautifully, Grace. You tell a great story in this piece.

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