The Descent

On By Michele LeeIn Arizona Adventures, nature, Poetic Prose, Verse
In the Valley below
I know how to blend –
slipped on heels in place of laced hiking shoes,
a (curved) pencil skirt, business blouse, and polished presentation
            Sure, I know how to blend
in with the tribe,
            hustling, bustling, and brain muscling.
With just enough preparation
I would be a pleasant addition
            in any boardroom or classroom.
I would be the observant calm one,
            the one who notices a bird free falling
            just beyond the triple-pane windows,
            ten stories between us and the ground.
For a moment, I would lose myself in the bird’s descent
            a feather from its bird body,
            with the end dipped in its bird blood,
            would write a smile on my seriousness.
Making eyes in the room notice and wonder…
            what is she smiling about?
I would hold their gaze and let my lips linger in contemplation
            saying nothing,
            understanding the reverence required
            when a feather falls during a sacred tribal dance.
I would carry on with the players gathered around the table,
            keeping the significance
            of the feather’s interruption
            protected within.
My focus would remain steadfast until the “meeting is adjourned.”

A respectful writer’s note: I had the absolute privilege of attending a Native American Pow Wow a few years ago, in Prescott, Arizona. During one of the sacred dances a white feather fell from a ceremonial headdress. The audience was instructed to turn off cameras before the feather was retrieved and honored with a beautiful and moving ritual. I feel blessed to have been a witness to the moment. 🪶

If not obvious, my poem attempts to highlight the difference between a sacred ceremony and a conference table “dance.” A surprising addition that followed after writing the first line of this poem. I rarely know where poems or flash will take me. I just start writing and enjoy the discovery, followed by editing and polishing, of course. ✏️🤔😁

Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful week! 🦅 Michele

my images from Usery Mountain Regional Park, Phoenix skyline in the distance

© 2023 MyInspiredLife

77 thoughts on “The Descent”

  2. This is very soothing with pictures and beautiful rhyming words knitted sooo wonderfully my dear Doll. Glad to know about the native ceremony n the sacred feather fall. Thanks for sharing such an amazing glimpse of experience. Loves n Hugs respectfully 🥰❤

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    1. Thank you, sweet Suma. It did feel a soothing and inspired write. 🥰 I was delighted to have that visual and tribal memory appear as I was weaving my way through those lines. My honor to share a glimpse. 💗 Love and hugs to you!

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      3. Yes, yes.. it is indeed a very interesting journey and I am glad I can come along and see through your eyes the beauty and complexity and art that is so much a part of every aspect of your continuous endeavour .. I love being a part of this. I am grateful , Lee.

        Liked by 2 people

  5. Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/

    I’ve been to a few Pow Wows (as well as many sacred ceremonies) and have never seen that happening, so I’m very heartened to hear that respect was asked, and it seems as though it was given. That’s wonderful!

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    1. Your comment gave me chill bumps, remembering that moment. The moment was so beautiful. 🥹 Many lessons in that moment: honor, respect, slowing down, tradition, nature’s significance… Thank you very much, Tamara, for connecting and sharing. 🙏🏻

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      1. Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/

        I’m surprised they allowed photography at all. I’ve been to Pow Wows where they requested people not to take phots, because, even the verb describes what people are doing: taking. Of course, the other ceremonies were strictly no photos at all, which was fine with me, as it allowed us to be fully present in our minds and hearts and to support the prayers.

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      2. I agree. There were other times when we were asked to not take photos. During the OK times, it still felt an intrusion, but I did snap a few gorgeous photos. “Fully present… ” – beautifully expressed. Thank you.

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      3. Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/

        I like that. I have created art before and after a couple events, which really allowed the creative spirit to work through me. Those were special, for I felt even more connected to the ceremonies.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I feel your genuine appreciation and love your descriptions of this piece – a delight for me. Thank you, Samantha! I love how writing can shake lose memories to complement a story. Sometimes taking the story in a different direction. That’s fun and surprising too! ✨

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    1. The Desert and I have come a long way. I have learned to appreciate her beauty and recognize her uniqueness, especially the Sonoran Desert that is rich in plant and wildlife. Prickly ones! I think sharing her on the blog has helped strengthen that connection, so thank you!

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  11. An eloquent and charming write, Michele. How wondrously observant of you to picture a pencil skirt and heels among the tall cacti; a perfect place to blend in with nature and perhaps hide away whenever necessary.
    I enjoyed your exquisite way with words this morning! 💫

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  12. So great poem dear friend 🙏🌹👍🏻 A great literary woman is giving life to those lines that are filled in
    her heart by watching the bird fly from the beautiful valley and enjoying the beauty of the landscape
    nature by taking photos ✍️😍😊 so wonderful experience and inspiring 👌😊grace wishes 👏

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  14. Oh my what a beautiful experience Michele. I planned to attend a Pow Wow in our area, but never got around to it. Now, your experience is making this one of my “must-do” things to engage in. I think that inspiration behind your poem…saying nothing in quiet contemplation speaks volumes. Your photos add such a visual tranquility of the moment. Thanks for sharing my Dancing Queen! 💃🏼🌵👑🌵💃🏻

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    1. Attending the Pow Wow was a beautiful experience, full of vibrant color, moving drumming, storytelling, and lively dance. 💖 I didn’t know the memory would work itself into my poem when I started writing, but such is the nature of writing, especially poetry. ✨ I hope you have the chance to attend one. Thanks so much acknowledging an important theme in my poem and for your overall awesomeness. 😁💗🙏🏻

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      1. Awww Michele my Belle, I simply love your ruminations about your experiences, whether hiking or dancing at an uptown pub. You manage to weave magic into your words, and deliver them in ways that touch our hearts! Thank you for that. 😍💞🥳🌟🤩

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  17. Michele, the many roles we play are evidenced by the clothes we wear, how we conduct ourselves, and the way we interact with others in a given situation. Your poem evokes beautiful impressions that contrast vividly with each other! Lovely poem and photos! ❤

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  19. A lovely poem Michele. You can saddle and bridge the pencil skit and cacti all in one moment. Love the pow wow and the wonderful feather falling. I too connect deeply with Native American traditions. I was happy I at least had 1 percent when I got my ancestry report.. 💞

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    1. Thank you, kind Cindy! “Saddle cacti” Ouch! haha Teasing! I get it. 😁 Kind of like, “bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan.” 😆 I don’t eat bacon, but you get it. 😊 A wonderful connection. 💞 That’s a powerful one percent! 🪶

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      1. KK

        My pleasure, Michele! I read many posts of yours yesterday. I don’t know why I don’t get notifications of your posts in my reader. Strange is the way of WP.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. This is precious on so many levels. 1. Spoken like someone of an introverted way of being. 2. Reverence. 3. Observation. 4. Comparative analysis. I could go on and on then I’d end with: I LOVE IT!!!

    Thanks for also sharing your writing process. I too am taken on an unknown journey each time I write. Very rarely do I rewrite cuz the result is staying true to the flow.

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    1. Thank you so much for enjoying and understanding my poem, on so many levels. 😊 I am very grateful for your time and meaningful connection. It was a lovely writing experience. I hold back sharing more about my writing process with each post, because I am not sure how many people are interested. Thank you for letting me know you are. 🙏🏻

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  25. Really good contrast here between the two “dances.” What a wonderful thing you got to see and be a part of. I’ve been lucky to attend a few Maidu ceremonies over the years and I always feel altered by the experience.

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    1. Thank you, Bridgette! What a surprise that poem was. It’s amazing where a few lines can take us! 😁 You’re so right! What a privilege. I had a wonderful time traveling up north to attend the ceremony with a few friends.

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