PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Blue Corn Woman sat weeping dry tears at the burial cairn of her grandmother. "Why Grandmother why? Why has this happened? We have said our prayers faithfully and made offerings to the Above Beings. Our people have always been kind to the land and the land has been kind in return. Why Grandmother why?"

Her newborn baby, only a month old, stirred at her breast and whimpered. The woman hadn't had more than a sip of water in several days and her milk was beginning to dry up. There was no water left in the storage jars. They would have to go now. No rain in three moons had left the desert creek dry. Her mate had gone searching for water a week ago and had not returned. He set out for the Place of the Endless Spring that was told to be a 2 days walk in the direction of Sunrise Mesa. Maybe he had gotten lost having never been there before. He took no water with him leaving what little was left for her and their children." I must go Grandmother. I must go find water. If you can see me from where you are please guide my feet." 

They would carry few things with them as they were very weak. Blue Corn Woman put a water sac over each child's shoulder and one over her own. She placed in the basket meant for carrying the baby one small clay bowl, her best cutting tool and her dearest possession, her grandmother's comb made of bone, which had been passed down to every daughter since the First Grandmother gave it to her own beloved girl child. And if they both lived she would pass it on to the daughter crying from hunger in her arms. 

Her first son tied the basket onto her back. Although it contained very little it felt as if it were full of rocks. They would head east also to the look for the spring. She was full of fear for a traveller had once told them that evil spirits guarded the watering hole and would let no people drink from it. They would have to take their chances. Maybe they would find water along the way or meet other people who were also looking. Maybe her husband was on his way back although she felt in her heart that he was dead. The instinct to survive was strong in her, in her people. She must try to move on.   

Raven watched the mother and her children from the top of his favorite juniper tree. Skinny People walking away. The woman had always fed him scraps and the boys played chase with him. Where are they going Raven wondered. He decided to follow them.