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(To read CONTENTS and OVERVIEW > scroll down)
PLEASE NOTE:
This poem may transform your perspective and viewpoints… and
also contains minimal amounts of sexually graphic imagery.
TABLE OF CONTENTS (page #s not listed here)
- Title page
- Cover Art Symbols
- Quote page
- Table of Contents pages
- Introductory Notes
Singing an Epic of Peace
- Peace pictograph
- Proem
BOOK 1 – RADIANT ILLUMINATION
PART 1 – THE YEAR OF RADIANT ILLUMINATION
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
- Cycle of Seasons
PART 2 – AWAKENINGS
- And So
- Walking the Path
- Brothers
- Sisters
- Songs: Sound and Silence
PART 3 – BLESSINGS
- THERE but for the Grace of God
- A Prayer Between Here and Now
- “Facing a moment of...”
- Lady and Man Who Reads This
BOOK 2 – TURTLE ISLAND
PART 1 – THE BALLAD OF TURTLE ISLAND (NORTH AMERICA)
- Turtle Island - Pre-Amble, or, Those Who Walked Before
- The State of the States of the Union
- 1) Of Water (mostly)
Delaware – The Grandfathers; Washington - “The Father”;
Mississippi – “The Other Father”; Michigan; Missouri; Nebraska;
Tennessee; Ohio; Kentucky; Connecticut; Minnesota; Wisconsin;
Oregon; Idaho; Arizona.
- 2) Of Air & Allies (mostly)
Kansas; Arkansas; Oklahoma; North and South Dakota; Iowa;
Texas; Illinois; Indiana.
- 3) Of Earth (mostly)
Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Alabama; Wyoming; Montana;
Utah; Alaska; Hawaii.
- 4) Of Spanish (mostly)
Florida; California; Nevada; Colorado.
- 5) Of Mexican (mostly)
New Mexico
- 6) Of English (mostly)
New York; New Jersey; New Hampshire; Maine; Maryland;
South and North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Georgia; Virginia and
West Virginia.
- 7) Of French (mostly)
Vermont; Louisiana
- 8) Of District and Annexation (mostly)
Washington D.C.; Annexations; Puerto Rico
- 9) The Invasion (mostly)
- 10) What Are Your Names?
- 11) Of Land (Concepts)
Of Land (Visions)
Of Records
- 12) Of Prophecy to Present
- 13) Of Healing
Of Healing (of the 4 Races)
Henceforth
PART 2 – INTER-DEPENDENCE - From the Declaration of Independence (mostly)
- The Ballad of Sexual Choices
“How many...”
Boy Friend Girl Friend
“Let’s Play Vagina...”
“Let’s Play Penis...”
“Let’s Play Metaphor...”
- Globally Economical Ballads
The Ballad of Rates of Exchange
The Ballad of the Sagging Economy
…of Conspicuous Consumption
PART 3 – CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, and ETYMOLOGICAL BALLADS
(mostly) - “Let’s Play Metaphor...”
- The Ballad of Propaganda
- …of Freedoms of Speech & No Speech
- …of Watergate
- …of the Merchants of Veneer
- …of the Screen Pulpit
- …of Art and Pornography
- …of Technology
- …of Opinions & No Opinions
- Vow of the Gate of Heavenly Peace on Earth …
BOOK 3 – HEROES, GODS, AND MOUSAI (MUSES)
- “My heroes are the little birds who sing…”
- We Were Naked Once
- Introduction to the Muses
- The Ballad of the Muses
- The Nine Mousai (Muses) From Ancient Greece
Kalliope
Kleio
Melpomene
Euterpe
Erato
Terpsikhore
Urania
Thaleia
Polyymnia
Tenth Muse
The Art of Life
BOOK 4 – HIGHER SELVES: A SAMPLING
- Nursery Rhymes - Two
Questions to Answer
“And a Little Child…”
- Of Gilgamesh
- For You – Tree of Life
- Hymns for Aten
Dawn
Mid-Morning
Noon
Afternoon
Sundown
Night-Time
- For the 4 Races United
- Singing an Epic of Peace
- After-Words: The End and The Beginning
* * * * *
Addendum
- After Notes
- Endnotes
- Sources Consulted and Further Reading
- About the Author and Publications
OVERVIEW and INTRODUCTORY NOTES
This introduction, although a bit lengthy, gives an overview of the entire poem. The aim in giving the reader such information beforehand is to enhance one’s understanding and enjoyment of the poem itself.
Although not an ‘Epic’ by some standards, this ‘long poem’ is to be read and considered as one whole poem. Many of the pieces and sections can be read as individual poems— yet the whole, as they say, is greater than the sum of its parts.
TITLE and SUBTITLE
SINGING…because song is an integral part of Life that helps to uplift our spirits and carries us through our days and nights. One of the three original Muses of ancient Greece is called Aeode or Aiode, for “Song, Chant, or (from Greek aoide, oide )
Also...The Music of the Spheres, and Song is a Universal language.
Poetically, EPIC (from the Greek “epikos” from “epos” – word, song) refers to a very lengthy poem that centers on a particular culture or nation, and the journey of a hero in order to preserve and improve upon certain elements of the culture. In this poem there is no “one” hero like an Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey. Rather, the hero has many faces, as Joseph Campbell would say.
One of the ‘heroes’ is myself for having written the poem, as well as YOURSELF and the journey you engage by reading this poem. Also, the Hero, in the collective sense, is all those who participated in the historical events mentioned in the poem, as well as numerous individuals and teachers whose words and guidance helped germinate many poems. I humbly honor and give thanks to Teachers, Friends, Muses and Spirit for the guidance that I received while writing.
This Epic also combines both epic-storytelling and epic-cataloguing.
As with songs and the oral tradition from which much epic poetry was borne, the ‘sounds’ this poem makes are significant as well.
FIFTH WORLD refers to a term from Hopi and Navaho(Diné) prophecies, myths, and the tales told by the Elders from generation to generation, mostly (until recently,) only by word-of-mouth. (Also, Fifth World from the Toltec; and from the Aztec’s, Fifth Sun, and their Solar deity, Tonatiuh, “he who goes forth shining”. Minus the sacrificial rituals of the Aztec culture, an interesting connection.) There is also an Aztec Sixth Sun of Flowers.
The Hopi refer to various phases of planetary and cultural evolution as “worlds”. Some American Indian lore describes the passageway between these worlds as occurring up through a reed, and into a pool of water. Reeds are tall grasses with hollow stems, thus, one can see the symbolism and beauty of this image. One must journey upward, through a narrow reed with little visibility, while one’s whole purpose is centered on reaching the destination (ascending to a higher level)—the next ‘world’. This lore could be compared with Noah’s journey, or even farther back to the Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh. Other Indian creation myths and lore describe the entrance-way between worlds as occurring through a hole in the sky (Navaho), or up a ladder or reed (Hopi and Navaho), or a tree (Zuni pueblo), and numerous others. These themes are typically categorized as “Emergence” creation myths. Creation myths and the Original-Stories, are often key guides for the ongoing evolution of peoples and their cultures.
My current understanding is that the planet Earth is now in the process of a journey from the ending of the Fourth World or Cycle (which requires ‘purification’)…to the Fifth World, and that this Fifth World can be seeded by one’s consciousness and way of being. Many (like the Navaho) already live with this Fifth World consciousness, and each individual’s path determines where they are. Whether one calls that “state of awareness” Fifth World, (or “Many Colored Earth” or “Changeable Earth”, other names from the Navaho,) or by another more personally and culturally appropriate name, is rather insignificant-- the true importance being progress on one’s evolutionary and spiritual pathway.
There are Nine Worlds according to the Hopi tradition/lore, and perhaps Seven according to the Navaho.
This epic is FIFTH WORLD because it honors the traditions of many of the indigenous peoples of North America. The poem is centered geographically and historically on, what many now call, the United States of America.
This is also called a Fifth World Story-Poem because any specific culture or nation is really only a starting point for ONE WORLD CONSCIOUSNESS and eventual WORLD PEACE.
The aim of blending various traditions and pathways is: to transcend apparent divisions and thus experience Unity. This blending also enables one to seed various wisdoms from cultures around the world into one’s own personal ‘field’ or ‘garden’.
This poem reflects a blending of what Fifth World is to me; your experience may be similar, or rather different, or to be discovered. There are also other basic aspects of what Fifth World means, and those you’ll discover as you read the introduction and poem.
This is a STORY-POEM because the overall flow and information of the poem has a specific pathway that unfolds much like a story (though in poetic form.) This poem is also a kind of Poetic Peace Manual.
INNER and OUTER WORLDS…because many of the topics, images, ideas and experiences mentioned in the poem can occur within oneself, as well as ‘outside’. PEACE truly begins as an INNER state of being, and this ever-expanding state of consciousness makes for a more peaceful world. Whether with oneself, a small circle of friends and/or family, or with communities, or the entire world…whatever PEACE one makes, makes the world more PEACEFUL.
“Even one being at Peace puts the heart of God at rest. And God needs rest.”
THE POEM BY ‘BOOKS’ and SECTIONS
SUMMARY
BOOK 1 - RADIANT ILLUMINATION– celebration of Light and its effects
and blessings throughout the seasons.
BOOK 2 - TURTLE ISLAND – how we have, do, and will trod our paths,
individually and collectively on this Earth, with various ballads for
liberation and finding one’s own clarity and peace.
BOOK 3 - HEROES, GODS, and MUSES – examples of inspiration and
guidance (emphasizing the muses of ancient Greece) for living
happily in the world.
BOOK 4 - HIGHER SELVES – a sampling of illuminated examples.
The FIRST section of BOOK 1 is “The Year of Radiant Illumination”. This phrase, “Radiant Illumination”, is derived from Mayan prophecies, and notes a time (Spring Equinox - March 21, 1995)1 according to the Mayan calendar in which an “age of belief” was superceded by an “age of reason” or “real knowledge and experience”. “Radiant Illumination” refers to this awakening of consciousness, and a heightened connection with the “Light”.
While I do not adhere my views or lifestyle to Mayan culture, and regard their prophecy as one of many, I have adopted this phrase for its own inherent beauty, symbolism, and the signaling of an era of Awakening.
This section portrays the enjoyment and respect of, as well as devotion to…the beauty of Nature and all its co-habitants, as well as to the ‘natural’ awakening of consciousness so often found there.
Transcendentalists, so-called pagans (Druids), many Indian cultures (Eastern and American), Asian cultures, and your average gardener and outdoors-people often regard human beings as a tiny yet essential part of a greater whole, and thus see fit to live in harmony with the surroundings.
“AWAKENINGS” and “BLESSINGS” serve to further ‘land’ one’s feet on the ground, and affirm a means for living peacefully with, and finding one’s path within, a sometimes turbulent ‘world-at-large’.
The SECOND and longest BOOK is “Turtle Island”, Turtle Island being a name for the North American continent (though this poem focuses on the United States of America), as well as the Earth in numerous American Indian and worldwide ‘mythologies’. This section honors, but in no way exclusively (as you will see) the American Indians, or Native Americans, as some say, (otherwise known as The Red Race) for their simply ‘being here’ first, as well as for their wisdoms and respect for all life…and for living, working, and learning WITH the land (which is much more than just ‘land’ to ANY indigenous peoples.) In American Indian as well as worldwide mythologies, the Turtle is said to carry the Earth (or continents) on its back.
While the Turtle is associated with Mother Earth, (especially for American Indians,) some Indian creation myths refer to Sky Woman or Sky Mother who ‘fell’ onto Turtle’s back, and ancient Egyptians revered a sky-goddess, called Nut, whose ‘body’ was arched across the Heavens, and an earth-god called, Geb, symbolized as a Goose; they were often referred to as brother and sister. So you can see that what one calls ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ often depends on one’s cultural vantage point.
“THE BALLAD OF TURTLE ISLAND” reads a bit slower (very Turtle-like,) as it was written to record and catalogue, in a factual, historic, poetic and sometimes humorous fashion, the true names and origins of the States, and to highlight the multi-cultural influences on what has ‘uniformly’ come to be known as “The United States of America”... Also, to honor the true natur(e)al spirit of freedom and courage, as well as the immense sacrifice and struggle of many that went into the creation of the States and the evolutionary freedoms of the specie that the States were intended to and have come to represent, in some instances,
worldwide.
In my attempts to bear witness as an objective observer, I must say that my feelings and opinion, based on historical evidence, lean toward the side of empathy with the Red Race, whose homeland and peoples were systematically reduced, forced to relocate, and in some instances destroyed.
ALL of the many influences, regarded or ignored, are truly part of the living reality and ongoing legacy AND evolution of Turtle Island and the entire planet.
This section also aims to help make the learning and memory of history fun, as well as informative and educational, and to help distinguish what I perceive as the ‘true American Spirit’ from what is broadly termed ‘the American Spirit’ or ‘American Dream’. The ‘true American Spirit’ is really only a form of Spirit’s broader reality.
(Note: my apologies to any tribes or nations that I have overlooked or omitted mentioning. There are over 560 federally recognized tribes including over 200 Native village groups or tribes in Alaska. There are also 240+ NOT federally recognized. Over 30 tribes are state recognized, some of which seek federal recognition. Some maintain sovereignty with their own forms of independent government; these tribes maintain what is referred to as a “government-to-government relationship.”2 And some have never been recognized.
Because this is essentially a poem and not a full-fledged research/historical text, I have striven to mention and highlight only some of the most significant and well-known tribes, along with some barely known (at least to me,) until I did the research.
It is significant to note that many tribes refer to themselves as “the people” or “the people of…” thus hinting at the true unity of all “peoples”... long before the phrase “We The People….” was declared in the “U.S. Constitution”. The Indian tribal names are in stark contrast to the often glorified (and foreign) names of an individual.
Also, my apologies for leaving out any significant historical data. Some tribes lived in or traveled through many areas that we now call ‘states’. In the “Turtle Island” section some are mentioned by the original areas they inhabited, and some in the ‘states’ they currently inhabit, though much of their lands are distinct areas from the United States.
Many tribe names have various translations— some of those mentioned are from tribal websites and literature; for some I picked the most common or most positive interpretations, as well as what the tribes call themselves, (many commonly known tribal names were names given by enemies or the ignorant.) The Indians’ or Europeans’ use of “Indian” pronunciations and translations often account for various spellings.
Some ‘state-name categories’ overlap. For example, Texas is from an American Indian word which the Spanish also used, yet this state is under the category “Air & Allies” because the name means “friend”, hence “ally.” I have chosen this type of grouping to pay homage to both the natural and original elements, attempting to grasp the truest origin, at least linguistically/name-wise. Some states are named after a river, but the river was named after a tribe, so the tribe sometimes gets prime recognition. Hence, the “(mostly)” appended to the categories.
I was rather ignorant when I first approached researching the origin of state-names. As I found out how many state names (over half) come from Indian tribes or words, I realized what a debt is owed to the Red Race. And so began the impetus for “The Ballad of Turtle Island”— to record historical facts in a historical, poetic, and linguistically accurate manner, and to awaken appreciation and respect for a People who have been grossly mistreated in the past. Hopefully this poem will also help to show that the American Indian Peoples are alive and well, with some strong and flourishing while many still deserve far more equal treatment.
While ‘American Indian’ is commonly accepted as an overall term for such a large grouping of peoples, some also use the term ‘Native American’. I prefer to use the term American Indians, as many peoples are Natives of the land yet not “Indian”. I also use the term “Red Race” as a recognition of an entire people and their place among others. Some say that the term Indians came from Columbus’ mistakenly thinking he reached the West Indies, or India (though that was called Hindustan then), and others say Indians comes from the phrase “In Dios” or “with God, or, God-within”. Also note that “Indians” is a broad term, and though there are many, many cultural similarities, there are still over 700 distinct tribes!
Eskimo, Aleut, Inuit, Inupiaq and Yupik are not considered American Indian, (though they are certainly “native”,) with the Eskimo and Aleut preferring “Alaska Native.”3 Yet there is much in common as peoples.
Mentioned throughout, though not as distinctly, is the other historically mis-treated race, the African-American. Because my ‘starting point’ is based on the name-origins of the states, I have highlighted the American Indians.. yet also acknowledge that the names of the United States sadly lack ANY recognition (to my knowledge) of the Black Race-- though city, town, etc. names may show some respect in that regard.
Further “Ballads” in this section focus on topics or incidents that have shaped various attitudes and human laws, most of which deserve serious re-examination in order to encourage personal and collective liberties, or as the Declaration of Independence states: “..life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”, or “uncontrolled enjoyment” as William Penn expressed it.
This section portrays some topics that many people grapple with in order to make sense of the world, and thus arrive at their own open-minded choices and experiences of what ‘constitutes’ a free and healthy lifestyle. Some of the inspiration for this section comes from the Scottish poet Robert Burns and the theme of poems “against secular tyrannies,” or, in support of human freedoms and liberation. Thus, this section has ballads on sexuality, the global economy, along with historical, cultural, and etymological topics. This section also honors the fact that one must sometimes express Anger (and preferably not violence,) in order to have Peace. Having traveled through the states geographically and historically to the ‘present,’ and looked toward the future...one must then be PEACE-FULL to gain entrance/access to the THIRD BOOK in order to meet “Heroes, Gods, and Muses.” The topic of heroes asks us to look at who are the heroes in our daily lives and in the broader and mythical sense.
The experiences and realms of the various “MUSES” can also be applied to one’s personal life—whether one is a ‘typical’ artist, or simply of an ‘artistic nature’ such as a chef, baker, athlete, etc., or simply a human being with whatever self-definition you have regarding ‘the art of life’.
Finding so little else written about the Muses from ancient Greece (perhaps they prefer it that way), I found it useful to at least list them with a brief poetic description of the realms of creativity (arts and sciences) attributed to their divine origins.
As to the “personal muse” that so many artists refer to, I can only say that I experience that presence but could not be sure that the “personal muse” is not some offshoot or combination of the traditional muses. Nonetheless, a “personal muse”, (whether unique, traditional, or both), has a unique gift for each of us, and THAT is certainly a gift to be
treasured!
“The Muses” poems (especially those of ancient Greece) are available to assist artists of various art forms in their endeavors, in whatever way they so choose, and can be adapted or reworded for personal use (such as prayers and invocations) though what you will experience is an individual thing depending upon your personal journey. Certainly the Muses have been helpful to me, and the poem would perhaps never have been written without their help.
May the poems on the Muses serve to help you connect with your own form and presence of any personal and/or collective guiding Muse(s).
The FOURTH BOOK, “HIGHER SELVES”, aims to express and convey a higher level of inspiration and experience…beyond conflicts…experienced when one has transcended negativity, and other forms of limitation…and allowed the ‘natural flow of life’ to occur… that is, when one has connected one’s life with Spirit in some form! This section draws on such examples as the ancient Egyptian Aten; the Kristos; rhymes of Dr. Seuss; the worldwide Tree of Life; and the Four Races.
As this FOURTH and last section reveals, (and many world philosophies, teachings and pathways remind us,) words, though helpful in pointing a way, are essentially only guides and signposts to actual experience and personal evolution. Nonetheless, words are interwoven with experience, and they are powerful tools that help to shape our lives in various ways. The blending of words AND song is often part of the very fabric that carries us through our days and nights—ever higher toward our celestial origins.....
Well, that’s the basic overview...now a few more explanations
and then you shall be quite ready to begin this little journey.....
CALLIGRAPHY AND ARTWORK
The Chinese brush-calligraphy and brush-artwork are here to complement the printed word, and to serve as visual and symbolic frames of reference. Symbols and pictographs often carry more potency than any number of words. The calligraphy also honors the Asian (Gold or Yellow Race) from which many non-violent philosophies, wisdom-systems, and high arts have come. Many symbols and pictographs found on rock, shell, bone, hieroglyph, etc. (with some on tortoise shells and cattle ‘oracle’ bones as far back as 16th-11th c. B.C. from the Chinese ‘Shang Dynasty’) often give a clearer insight into the original and/or truer meaning of words, processes, and a people’s cultural and spiritual practices. For example, the original Chinese pictograph (a picture representing words or ideas) for “island” is-- a “bird” resting on a “mountain”. This reminds us that we are souls, able to fly anywhere, and that we also find peace and regeneration on our personal and collective little “islands”.
The original Chinese pictograph for the word “to speak” combines a swinging “door” or “gate”, and a “mouth”, and, “to hear” combines a swinging “door/gate” and an “ear.” Thus, both “to hear” and “to speak” require a kind of ‘opening’ and ‘closing’. These kinds of interpretations give added meaning and symbolism to universal human experiences, as well as to the words we use to describe them.
(Ideographs represent a combination of pictographs to convey another word or ‘idea’. For example, “to speak”, combining the pictures for “door” and “mouth” could be considered an ideograph, yet I use the term pictograph to refer to the original ‘pictures’ used. In a few cases, I have added the modern Chinese characters so that the reader can see the variations that were made over time, mostly to allow for faster writing, and sometimes because of scribe errors or ignorance. The Sun was originally a circle with a dot in the center, but the modern form is square-shaped with a small horizontal line inside.)
In the Chinese tradition, Writing or Calligraphy (brushwork,) along with Painting (brushwork) are considered the “twin sisters”. For this poem I have chosen ‘written English’ (my native language) and ‘Chinese calligraphic brushwork’ (self-taught while studying Taoism) to serve the purpose of honoring a tradition that so nicely blends ‘art’ (pictures) and ‘words’ (language), and reveals their interconnected-ness by so naming them the “twin sisters”. (American Indians refer to Corn, Beans and Squash as the Three Sisters because they encourage each others’ growth, and the Muses of ancient Greece are regarded as Nine Sisters.)
SEXUALITY
Another subtle theme is the acceptance of various sexual preferences. The expression of brotherly Affection and Love…. is one of the antidotes for an overly aggressive and war-torn planet. Simple affection between father and son, uncle and nephew, childhood playmates, and grown-up friends is sadly lacking as a normal form of expression of brotherhood in the world. Full-fledged acceptance of various pathways of sexuality is also lacking (though much progress has been made recently.)
Even if you find such lifestyles incompatible to yours, by respecting the the lifestyle choices of others-- you honor a lineage and culture that has helped you to be ‘democratic’, free, and to have an interest in reading such a work as this poem. I am referring to the culture of Ancient Greece, from which our word “democracy” as well as the specific names of the Muses, numerous philosphers, and much, much more comes from. This culture was well known for its openly gay and lesbian lifestyles and self-expression.
Although some believe that such ‘love’ is ‘impure’, a simple look at history and the world today will show where such narrow opinions and their attempts at repression have led to.
Another theme is the celebration of: the ‘Femininity’ of women; and holistically, as a trait or behavior within men. The experience of the Anima and Animus, as put forth by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, reveals to us that there is a Feminine-aspect within all males, and a Masculine-aspect within all females.
THE 4 COLORS, PHASES, RACES
Another not so subtle and recurring theme of the poem is the references to Black, White, Red and Gold. These are the colors attributed to the four phases of both physical and mystical alchemy, in which a base or lead stone is transmuted into gold, and represents the progression of that process. Literal gold has been the reported aim of some alchemists, while for others it is a mystical ‘gold’ that is beyond any material gain.
With mystical alchemy, there is the Black or Nigredo phase (the unknown, chaos, massa confusa); White or Purificatio (purification); Red or Fulminato (rapid and intense growth, ‘heated-ness’); and ultimately all impurities are removed or transmuted and one attains, Gold or the Magnum Opus (the Great Work, the God-self, Enlightenment). This is also represented with Jungian psychology as the 4 phases of individuation:
Shadow (Black); Anima/Animus (White); Self/Hero/Ally (Red); Highest/God Self (Gold) – attaining the goal of a fully liberated self, thus enabling one to further assist the evolution of the World Soul.
Various American Indian lore, specifically a prophecy as told by Baha’i-Cherokee Lee Brown, states that the bringing together of the 4 races signals healing and unity for Humanity and the planet.4 Thus, honoring the 4 races and bringing them together in whatever beneficent ways we can (even within oneself), certainly helps us all along the Path.
Recent crises -- Kenyan floods and Chinese drought; southwest wildfires and southern/midwest floods (U.S.A.); etc. -- attest to imbalances.
The regard of these 4 Races in no way implies that one is less valuable or less honorable than any other, but that each are manifestations of the Creator, entrusted to 4 different races.. each a reflection of the One Self. With so many peoples on the planet with varying skin color and ethnic/race origin, one can look to “The Rainbow” of colors, or perhaps different phases of each of the ‘four prime or symbolic’ colors so as not to feel excluded. Recently, the USA has had an increase in Hispanic and Latino population, which some refer to as “Brown”. This might put the Brown-skinned people closer to “Black”, or possibly the “Red” depending on the frame of reference, such as heritage or skin color.
All this is perhaps another field of study for another writer.
The country of India, (having the 2nd largest population on the planet, as of mid-2002), would probably be considered Black/Brown (according to a Punjabi friend that I asked.) China (1st largest) and India combined make up over 1/3 of the entire world population of approximately 6.1 billion!)5
Many South and Central American peoples, such as Mayan, Incan, etc. (often called Indian,) would probably be considered Red. Yet, regardless of classifications and categories, each Race, each people...has unique gifts, as well as particular struggles to overcome.
Other categories that come to mind are Olive-skinned/Mediterranean; Albinos; and perhaps even a grouping of burn victims. These classifications, as I understand them, are meant to teach us something about each people, and about our path as One People on a planet. However ‘true’ these classifications are, you may witness or experience for yourself.
The honoring of various people as living examples of these Four Races helps to show how each Race has contributed (and still is contributing) to the evolution of the planet (as a whole) and the U.S.A./Turtle Island (specifically). Many traditions honor these 4 (or very similar colors) in their traditional circles and ceremonies.
Perhaps these 4 ‘primary’ or ‘symbolic’ races and Human colors, along with every benevolent and peaceful culture and race, (and all benevolent and peaceful people,) being who they truly are, and being respected and honored for who they truly are…would bring us all closer to, or completely living harmoniously on Earth with…the Creator! It is interesting to note that much of the historical conquests and subsequent slavery and abuse of various peoples throughout history has been for the acquisition of gold for wealth of a strictly monetary value, and the dominance (often in the name of religion or ‘progress’), that unfortunately, so often goes along with those greedy desires. And that is another reason why the 4 colors/phases/races are mentioned: so as to show some examples of where the quest for material gold and greed has ‘lead’ us, as compared with honoring the true wealth, purpose and beauty of all people and their quests (and achievements) for
personal and collective spiritual attainment. This ‘golden spiritual attainment’ and the radiant steps along the way reflect a re-union with our god-selves. These god-selves DO manifest on Earth (despite what most religions say of a Heaven far removed from our ‘sinful’ selves.)
Though we are multi-dimensional (spiritual) beings, by living in a material world we must adapt to various physical laws. But the fixation on the material as the ONLY reality, and the worship of the material have certainly wrought much chaos on the planet.
Thus, the poems on the 4 races are meant to represent respect for alternative and healing pathways for Humanity’s energies and endeavors.
Om Shanti Om…Peace.
* * * * *
A SELECTION OF POEMS...
Awhile back, you believed you had it made, had figured out the proper obeisance to the distant god…. until the spindly, green sprout shot up from the seedy ground on a day when your mind was forlorn on past loves, and broken promises, and unanswered prayers. Then, and just then, your head turned ‘just so’, your heart opened ‘just so’, your feet tickled ‘just so’ on the
dew-drenched grass…. and that wobbly, little green sprout,
barely of motion shouted silently and broke the façade of
knowing too much, too little, sending you into reels of
amazement, and a different kind of knowledge only gleaned from sheer experience, from simply knowing that the force from the ground is within you as well, leaving you to wonder….
why am I here?
where shall I sprout my once-bunched tendrils?
when shall I send forth for my little love affair?
how shall my green stem help to awaken another?
and though my feet remain planted to the firm,
yet flaky ground—
who pushes my spirit air-born further and further
from the sacred dirt?
what becomes of me now that I no longer hurt?
Now that the Spring of Radiant Illumination shines,
Now that the benevolent cleansing rain has purified,
Now that our song of peace has begun
* * * * *
PRE-AMBLE, or, THOSE WHO WALKED BEFORE
Isn’t it odd that we call North ‘America’
when there’s a Central, a South, and a North,
and those southerly parts were inhabited long before
the revolutionaries headed forth.
1507 for Amerigo Vespucci
for the ‘new’ world;
however— Amaru, a Peruvian god,
and their land-- Amaruca, from whence the U.S.-flag-name unfurled. (9)
Like the Mayan’s Quetzacoatl of Central America,
Amaru “the plumed serpent”,
befitting of the Ohio valley Great Serpent Mound and the Mississippian
temple-mound-builders and Cahokia culture where traders from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico made a dent. (10)
Serpent mounds and carved stones of snakes
still exist on indigenous lands,
where serpent-fearing Church-goers once landed
to convert a culture they didn’t understand…..
And, the names of the United States
come more from Constitutional grace
and persons of historical repute
and honoring of Indian place,
than policy would lead you know—
of patriots and independence,
and freedom from a ghastly king,
or being the supposed original tenants.
I do not scoff at revolutionaries,
nor framers of the freedom papers;
but the neglect—of our TRUE ancestries,
and those who are Earth’s natural shapers.
The land was known—before Columbus came—
by waters and by nature’s herbs
by those who honored earth, and sky, and in between—
long before the advent of suburbs.
A name serves well to honor those
who lend us light from roads they’ve traveled,
but blemishes on a face are made
when people from their path are unraveled.
And the names and the people
live on with grace,
first named from what
they saw or lived nearby,
of Earth
and of the flowing Waters
upon which
the people steered by.
The American Indians now live mostly on sacred, parceled lands
meted out by genocidal, warmonger generals,
who in their quest to rule the Earth
refused to distinguish—annuals from perennials!
And some tribes now are sovereign nations,
‘free states’ on the same kind of land, blessed;
though some confined to reservations,
proving: freedom within a police state….is freedom nonetheless.
This beauteous place—
the Red Race call Turtle Island
and the lesson remains—you can steal,
but you cannot own land!
Distinguishing the Revolutionary Spirit of America
from the ‘American Dream’
is waking up to the shackles of oppression
then finding the illusion and cracking the seam.
The fiery spirit of true revolutionaries
not restricted to any governmental name,
but flowing through the earth and waters,
wind and wood to all the same.
A lineage of individuals spreading wide
their freedoms to groups and clans,
and through each pure heart embodying
the Spirit of Master Plans,
not restricted to the limits
of bureaucratic torpidity,
only limitless conduit for the clear channels
of Radiant Illuminations’ lucidity.
Distinguishing the true revolutionaries... from the colonists...
from those just renaming the imperial bent:
is waking up to the patterns of behavior
then identifying those that are heaven-sent.
This beauteous place
so many call Turtle Island,
and the lesson remains—you can take over,
but you cannot own land!
The blending of European arts and sciences
with the American Indian natural way,
with the revolutionary spirit of accepting others
is more of the true American way.
Experiencing the living example
of the Indians daily way of being,
helped Benjamin Franklin (a Freemason and Rosicrucian), and others,
shape the wording and philosophy of some peoples’ freeing.
The Age of Enlightenment of 18th century Europe
a wave of philosophy assisting French and American revolutions,
affecting such men as Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine;
Also James Madison, called the ‘Father’ of the Constitution…
though even that valuable document was skewed (11)
by favoring the wealthy, i.e. property owners,
‘securing their rights’, while the working-classes
were tag-lined along with freedoms on loaners.
A long-standing feud
between feudal lord
and those who steward
instead of horde
called vassal or servant
under lord’s protection,
though abused by taxes and other fees--
what of One World connection?
“To cultivate”, as in farmer,
is the root of ‘colony’
on land to perpetuate
though colonialism’s wrought with irony.
Though much has been twisted
and many enslaved,
their inspiring assembly
is forever engraved
on paper,
and electronic medium,
and in the minds and hearts
of non-violent presidium.
And the names and the people
live on with grace,
first named from what
they saw or lived nearby,
of Earth
and of the flowing Waters
upon which
the people steered by.
This beauteous place—
the Red Race call Turtle Island.
And the lesson remains—you can relocate
but you must caretake land!
footnotes:
9 Amaruca articles:
"The Great God Pan is Not Dead".
< http://www.crosscircle.com/Humanity'sVisionOfGod.htm > (3 June 2003)
“Luis Valdez Discusses Cultural Inclusiveness and Indian Roots in the
United States” < http://www.radiobilingue.org/luisvaldez.htm > (3 June 2003)
"North American Snake Worship"
< http://www.stargods.org/NorthAmericanSnake.htm > (3 June 2003)
10 Judith Nies, Native American History (NY: Ballantine Books, 1996), pp.42-44.
11 Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States (NY: Perennial Classics, HarperCollins Publishers, 1980, 2001), pp.96-102.
Mostly from the “Declaration of Independence”
(no need for copyright or permission
because these are my words,
these are your words,
these are our words!):
“We hold these TRUTHS to be SELF-evident”
(“WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SACRED
AND UNDENIABLE” - the original draft (116))
“that all Men are created equal”
(“THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL AND INDEPENDENT”
–original)
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood” (and sisterhood,) from Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, Article 1
“that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights”
(“FROM THAT EQUAL CREATION, THEY DERIVE RIGHTS
INHERENT AND INALIENABLE” – original)
“that among these are LIFE, LIBERTY,
and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS—”
freedom to “pursue” so you gotta find it on your own...
“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3
and, “uncontrolled enjoyment”, that is,
uncontrolled by others, thank you, William Penn!
“that to secure these Rights,
governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their Powers
from the consent of the Governed.”
“When in the course of human events…
the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…”
(this revealing the Benevolence of Nature)
Singing an Epic of Peace:
That all human beings “...are created equal and independent…”
though some born more spiritually advanced,
that all human beings “...are created equal and independent…”
though some born more mentally acute,
that all human beings “...are created equal and independent…”
though some born more physically adept,
that all human beings “...are created equal and independent …”
though some born poor or rich,
Yet born equal and independent.
Equal creation inherent
(thus, already within; thus, no such thing as original sin)
with Declarations of Inter-Dependence,
Declarations of Human Rights.
To this equal creation,
to this sameness with their Creator,
to this SAMENESS
this EQUAL CREATION
This SPARK of sameness
This SPARK of equal creation
This spark of sameness of equal creation of all men and women,
all birds and animals and fish and crawling ones,
all sentient beings
footnote:
116 “Declaration of Independence” handwritten 'original' draft.
< http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/decp1.jpg > (12 Feb. 2003)
< http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/uc004215.jpg > (12 Feb. 2003)
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