Through the following poem and her images, guest contributor Molly J. Anderson-Childers, illuminates the magic and beauty of one of this country’s most significant and mysterious archaeological sites, Chaco Canyon. Enjoy!
Chaco Canyon Love Song
The ancient stones speak to me,
Calling me home
This sacred place, so alive in its silence
Red rock and bluebird skies
Blooming sage on the West wind
Indian paintbrush, sunset-hued,
Fills the desert air with sweet intoxication
Desire blooms there too.
My lover undresses inside a fortress of aged sandstone
So warm in the sun
We make love to the old rhythms, with wild abandon
Clouds wash over the sky, waves in a distant sea
We are cleansed, made holy by rain
O my love, fly with me as the raven flies
Circling on night’s wings
Crumbling walls, still strong
Only worn by time, they curve and bow outwards crazily
Walk a thin cobbled path to the kivas
Feel the perfect curve of the underground walls with your eye
Look down into the past
Hear the blood-drums pounding, the voices raised in song
An ancient celebration of life
The full moon, first fruits of harvest
Share their joy and wonder
Envy these ancient ones their mysteries , unexplained by cold science
They worship the Cloud-Goddess, praying for rain
The deer their sister; the jack-rabbit their brother
The raven, a wise and trusted friend.
The deer, gentle, wide-eyed, steps lightly upon the fragile soil
She can run all day for the joy of wind in her face.
The raven, queen of the desert, surveys her domain from on high.
The jack-rabbit nestles into his warm hole with seven brothers
They snuggle underground, far from harm
Sleeping soundly in the earth‘s embrace, dreaming rabbit dreams
All in this holy place.
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Dedication:
This poem is dedicated to my husband Charles, the man who first introduced me to the wonders of Chaco Canyon and the ancient ruins there.
***
Molly Anderson-Childers is a writer, artist, and creativity consultant. Her work has appeared in print publications, both locally and nationally, including Images, Edible San Juan Mountains, The Durango Telegraph, newWitch, and Southwest Colorado Arts Perspective. This poem was originally published in the anthology, Eternal Portraits, in 2006, with the work of other poets from all over the nation. You can find her work published on numerous sites online- www.creativity-portal.com , www.thepaganarts.com , www.ediblesanjuanmountains.com, and www.hank-englisheducation.blogspot.com, to name a few. She also publishes two blogs, www.stealingplums/blogspot.com and www.addictivefiction.blogspot.com . She is currently working on her first novel, Stealing Plums.