"In the early days, we were much closer to Nature.

We judged time, weather conditions, and many things by the elements—

The good earth, the blue sky, the flying of geese, and the changing winds.

We looked to these for renewed guidance, and for answers.

We lived by God's hand, through Nature,

And we evaluated the changing winds,

To tell us, and warn us, of what was ahead.”

A Native American Elder

After enjoying Sunday morning on the city’s lakeshore

My wife and I now headed for the natural history museum

An enlightening new exhibit had very recently opened there

As we neared the huge building we heard a very ancient drum

Magnificently attired Native Americans were outside to welcome us

They had journeyed here as part of an exhibit called Ancient America

We sat mesmerized for quite awhile, listening to their ancient chants

Watching them dancing and reciting old stories, filling us both with awe

Eventually, we wandered inside, and we were transported back through time

On a journey spanning over 13,000 years, and long before the Europeans came

Despite what many of our history books have tried to tell us about these people

Many of them had advanced societies, and worshiped God like us, just the same

Some were hunters and gatherers, some were farmers or ancient astronomers

Some were content to live simple lives, and some forged vast ancient empires

Some were devoted parents, who orally taught their children how to live better

Most of them truly revered Mother Earth, with a most passionate love and desire

In our very tragic and misguided efforts to quickly ‘civilize’ and populate America

I believe we passed up a magnificent opportunity to learn far more about our planet

So much of their very ancient knowledge and wisdom is now gone from us, forever

I believe we should all still herald Earth’s vast diversity, never taking life for granted

Ancient America truly did contain an extremely rich mosaic of peoples and lifestyles

But for some strange reason, we human beings never quite seem to learn from history

Maybe it truly is time to stop and reflect on what is now happening to our world today

And perhaps, look once again, to Mother Earth and to Creation, for a better philosophy

†2007, Mr. Ed