by Carol Perez Petersen
www.Stargrail.net

They stand with shoulders touching
fringed shawls flapping, frosty breath singing
mother earth rising up through the ghost dancers
 
We set the crystals in a circle to the eight directions at the foot of a stairway to heaven
Earth dust, star dust we are all made of this. 
Eagle singers cry for love and drum strong the heart
 
The ravens and the owl hovered in the feathered crowns of the Stone Chiefs
while the bear stuck her nose out to sniff.
 
We made honey in the light of our hearts and set a sweet arrow of peace making to Big Bear
Giving voice to the unspeakable
the cries we all had when we were left behind dipped into the song of many nations
making a feast for all my relations
 
The big dipper where the north star shines
is a white lightening moon bear dance
A golden sun grizzly bear dance
A red heart calling red bear dance
A rolling hills black bear dance
 
I turned my head and saw you and you reached out with your arm
and tightened your body next to mine
I looked up above and there were the children drinking rain and breathing love
Then came the eagles
riding on a thermal from the eight directions
and they sang back to us and into the heart of our Earth Mother
 
This was a day the watchers on their painted ponies held banners to the Great Ones
Blue star kachinas mending the sacred hoop
A good day to weave heart light into the fabric of her sacred robe
Her garment is of the sun glittering with the warming glow of rainbows.
 
This is our heart dance of gratitude
It is the Medicine of The Great Bear
Strong and persevering
Keepers of the violet wisdom, soul breath of the Mother
In your honor we dance in beauty.