38. The Medicine Man

To a backdrop of stars and the plains of the dessert
did the Medicine man, move and dance before me
Wearing a grey headdress, of wolf on his head
with his own long hair braided into those of the wolf
they swirled and unfurled as he side stepped and moved
and swung out to lure me and capture my gaze

Over his body did my own eyes now fall
over a body both tanned, chiseled and strong
Over his legs were tied leather of buffalo hide
stitched at the sides down to moccasined feet

But his eyes shone like stars drawing me in
Capturing, luring me to my own feet
He'd endear me, then turn and draw me in more
Until I myself danced and was stepping and swaying

He drew me in close till I held onto him now
and made me surrender - dancing together
I felt free, I felt light, I felt beauty and love
as the two of us danced to a backdrop of stars

11. In the shadow of a wolf

Two eyes peered back at me from the darkness of my mind
Sharp pointed ears appearing above them
a long nose and sneering mouth and sharp teeth in front

Fear wells up but I find the strength to say
"If you come for good you're welcome to stay
but if you come for bad, you must go away"
Passing the first test the Black Wolf disappears
and in it's a place the head of a majestic White Wolf
bows before me almost allowing me to touch him

The path to knowledge has many perils
it has many challenges which cannot be met
with a meek heart or by brute force
but with humility, compassion and true bravery

I am reminded to show appreciation for the reveal
and with that, a third one introduces himself
A Brown Wolf with eyes closed tight due to a smile
that brings reassurance and warmth to my heart and mind

Like a lamb I now walk in the
shadow of a great White Wolf
Wild animals now shy away from me
Spirits and demons fall behind me
His protection and safety now afford me
opportunities to run, jump, buck and experiment

But now and then I dread when I think
that he himself was once a lamb
who walked in the shadow of his own great Wolf