GRANDFATHER
I look above, as the trees sway round,
thinking somehow there, someplace, my answer
would be found - the comfort come; I would
need to know what had to be done. Why do I
suffer so I thought and always alone without
comfort or touch?
And then my Grandfather came to me. He
reached out and touched my heart and spirit
with kindness, love, and sympathy. He held
my spirit close to his, for he remembered a pain
such as this.
But we spun in time, and he was young, a
Cherokee man with a war to be won. But
not one he could fight for his people. They
sent him away from the land of his birth to
fight for another people; in his mind, he
always felt the pain of those left behind.
The ones who died along the Trail; the ones
he somehow felt he failed. As he stood upon
that foreign soul, it was World War I. The
scenes of death and despair - the young man
now carried something heavier to bear.
Home, alive but never free. For he was still
Cherokee. A farm he worked, life of the land. Somehow
seeing the new life sprout forth, helped heal those
thoughts of death and of things much worse.
He raised a family 9 children in all, had a good
wife. He rose each day before the dawn and
did not return home till the work was done.
The life was hard and filled with pain. A young
son lost forever, never more than 15. Another
War came and he lost more sons - they left
the land that was their home to fight another
war again, not of their own. For by this
time the Cherokee had long been removed and
were no longer free. Except for those who ran
and hid in the mountains and the woods. Alive,
yes, but not free, for they could not be Proud
Cherokee. A pain of this so deep to bear, and
yet I complain of my despair?
It was not over yet. My heart still ached,
but with less regret. And, Grandfather was
still a young man.
The days passed, life went on - children grew
and new granchildren were born. There was
laughter and joy and tears and pain but each
morning the sun rose again.
Grandpa and me - time spun again and all
was history. But the pain the same, part of
life. The pain we carry whatever our strife.
To learn from it, to grow, is the purpose
now I know. For I saw in Grandpa the truth
of life. Balance in all things, even in joy and
strife. And I am never alone. For Grandfather
is with me. And I am Cherokee.
Spinning in time, looking at the sky, I knew
the answer was there and everywhere. For I
am never alone. And the misery I feel so hard
to bear, is nothing that can compare to the
sufferings of my Ancestors. But the pain I feel
is hard and real and so in spirit I do know, the
long and difficult roads they hoed.
In thanks I now give, for my life and how I live.
For what would my life be without the might of
my Cherokee ancestry - if it had not been for
my Grandpa and all who struggled as was destiny?
Thanks to Grandpa. Thanks for life. Thanks
for eyes, ears, heart to see the lessons I must
learn. To the dark sky I stare and now what do
I see there? The answers my spirit longed to
hear. I am the greatest Spirit of all and never
fear, for you are not alone, I am here and you
are Cherokee.
The Grandfathers speak. Even mine.
e du da
e li si
Svhyeyi Aga~Evening Rain
Throughout this website, you will see many graphics, digital art, and poetry - I am more than willing to share with others, to give back because so many have shared with me. All I ask, is that you write and ask me, that the copyright on any graphics, photography or poetry remain intact...and it would be nice to have a link back to our page, but it is not necessary. Under NO circumstances can any content of this website be used on ANY ADULT SITE WHICH IS NOT VIEWABLE BY ALL AGES.
Cherokee
May 26, 2000~4:55 p.m. est © Evening Rain
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Thank you - Evening Rain
