Author Information
Dread
Owl came to me tonight.
At least, I think it was an owl,
For all I caught was a glimpse.
Not ten seconds later,
Coyote crossed the road and
Stood looking over his shoulder,
Watching, as I crossed his path,
Swearing and sighing inwardly.
I did not have a bag of Corn Pollen,
Nor any Cedar leaf to burn and offer.
So, I thanked the pair for their warning,
And drove on slower and cautious.
I do not know if it's worse to know
For sure it was Owl or not to,
But Coyote seems to assure the former.
They are two of our messengers.
Unfortunately, the letters they carry
Usually bring bad news, foreshadowing
What sad, sad day may come to be.
As I drove on, terrible thoughts crossed my mind;
Tormenting my heart, deflating my spirit,
And depressing my soul.
Thoughts of family or friends being taken away.
Of an oncoming drunk driver crossing
Into my lane at the last second.
I recalled and replayed the last few days,
Thinking of my rights and my wrongs,
Of the other Coyote who had greeted me
The day before sad news came to me.
This dread paralyzes my mind and body,
Heightens my senses, and tantalizes my sixth.
I'm on edge, jumping at the slightest noise,
Worrying about my siblings,
My friends in far off places, and I pray no
Harm comes to any I know or love.
I will burn some Cedar and it will carry my
Thoughts and prayers to the night sky.
I will bless my body, my heart, and my mind.
Smoke is another of our messengers,
One able to travel between this world and the next.
It will cross another's path,
In the spirit world,
And tell them this dread
Paralyzes my mind and body.
That I require a catharsis and,
Hopefully, hopefully, they will come to me.
