Bear Butte Mountain
This was a very special place for us to sojourn and spend some time
So we set up our camped there that night to see the glorious sun set
Over all that surrounded the lake stretched way out before the Big Bear …
The sun set so slowly then light morphed into the dark night
As the stars slowly and shyly started peeping out one by one
Till the great curved canopy above was lit up into a brilliant display …
Frogs started croaking tentatively tested out ranges of their vocals
All warming up slowly to their fullest extent before plunging
Into a full blown symphony orchestra in full chord sent to lull me asleep …
Dreams came unbidden but vividly into my mind’s eye that night
They will always be remembered by me today and for all times after
“Constantly changing material goods holds no value, the child is important” …
“It is so very close now to you now listen closely to all and remember two”
Instantly appeared two gigantic stars, two enormously huge orbs of light
Above the mountain in a vertical line they appeared one above the other …
As I watched a third light blinked next to the two equally as large
Everything was so brilliant lit illuminating bathing the mountain peak
When the last orb to appear disappeared leaving only the original twin stars…
Continuing to stare mesmerized, not sure, was it ‘seeing’ or dreaming
Only the morrow would tell as the sun rose, crept over a frosty ground
And we started to climb on the way to the dizzying heights of The Bear …
We trekked on rough narrow pathways trodden by many ancients before
Past trees of colorful First Nation Prayer Ribbons fluttered in a breeze
Many present offerings and prayers of today from both heart and soul …
With a sincere reverence for this place sacred to the great tribal peoples
In silence mostly we climbed through the base rocks and green trees
Climbing higher into the pure air leaving only sweat droplets in footprints …
Resting more frequently as we both toiled ever upwards, always up
When plains started to spread out below all around each way we faced
Swooping down came a glorious golden eagle that staring right into our eyes …
Not a sound was heard at all, not even my gasp as I held my breath
For that special instant of communion is a once in a lifetime moment
All was gone around me save that eagle moment breathing into my soul …
A moment turned into an eternity before our steps continued again
For wrapped around about was the warmth that came from no sun
Gone was all tiredness there was a new life in those last climbing minutes …
Enervated steps energized we went anew till we rounded the last rock
Were we to continue on a pathway unseen or not, was this far enough
Two huge golden eagles came soaring around for we had finished our climb …
Trekking back downward seemed effortless as I floated with the wind
My soul so contented that elation gave our tired feet their fleet wings
Looking back to the peak where above last night shone brightest two stars …
Back down to the earth level where we began I began to shake once more
The heat shimmered within my body frame as my blood started to simmer
For two ancients came spent time with me and communed without words …
(c) CBJ