An Anasazi Morning
An Anasazi Morning
I
To see a new world
of light from hole in roof
while standing on lower wrung
of wooden ladder
there above is an entrance
exit from comfortable hole.
A fire is lit
in the center of the hole
round walls catch the smoke to twirl
mini tornado
diameter into sky
smoke as message from the fire.
Raven and Magpie
one seen flying through the smoke
Raven shrieks at the Magpie
Magpie steals away
Coyote breaks the smoke next
go away unwanted one.
Down in this hole world
easy to create own space
a fantasy near this fire
no others but me in this hole only
figures of men through the smoke
some standing some splashing their face in light.
II
Emerge masked dancer
into magic color dream
disappear and then be seen as heroes
return and tumble
fall to the bottom of the hole
to restart life as child.
Masked dancers move sky
plain men go into the ground
what remains are daily chores
collect wood and water
remove dust from flattened earth
rehearse the words for magic.
The house and walls
are built from the same soft soil
mixed with water and red clay
hold as many years
secrets upon secrets held
worn down fort floor near water.
Secret of women
gathered down by riverbed
through these are powerful spells
all lips will stay sealed
these stones under fort stay smooth
remain rounded throughout time.
III
Whispers silent please
then Grandma leaves through smoke hole
sends shiver of old knowledge
down wrung of ladder
into these wavering flames
that burn on this cold hard floor.
Youth is vanity
where childhood dances on flame
creates circle with rhythm
lifting and dropping
heel of foot on floor to toes
dance to move smoke up through hole.
Here is a new world
where one can find light if looks
through the ladders lower wrung
into smoke from fire
to an entrance up above
an entrance or maybe exit.
Part of family
these figures found in the smoke
doing whatever they do
to start the morning
will move our feet on cold floor
bring warmth to start of each day.
For more works like An Anasazi Morning and other works by this author visit
Jamie Lee Hamann Author Page
You can also find works by Jamie Lee Hamann on HubPages
- On One Terrible Night: The Family Well - November 8, 2024
- A Peaceful Place to Slumber - November 8, 2024
- Soft Shock of Apples Falling - April 22, 2024
Wonderful descriptions of an Anasazi morning. Well done, Jamie. This brings back memories of when I was editor and author on a Native American site where I did a lot of research and writing on the Anasazi people. Thank you for sharing this poem with us.
Interesting and very well-written poetry, Jamie.
I loved these lines:
“Youth is vanity
where childhood dances on flame
creates circle with rhythm
lifting and dropping
heel of foot on floor to toes
dance to move smoke up through hole.”
Thank you so much for sharing!
Take care and stay blessed.
Thank you Phyllis and Misbah. Jamie