Road Journals – Easter 2008
-Part III-
"One of the strongest ever seen, because the city was built on a high rock.
The ascent was so difficult that we repented climbing to the top.”
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado,
In the Year, 1540
There are many truly enchanting places
In the enchanting state of New Mexico
And this extremely ancient pueblo city
Always fascinates and intrigues me so
It is the oldest continuously inhabited city
In the entire length and breadth of the U.S.
The Acoma Pueblo people had been living here
500 years before Coronado came to the Southwest
Their ancient sky city was built high atop a sandstone mesa
It was built in this manner, as a defense against their enemies
These native people were skilled farmers, traders, and artisans
They are world renowned, for their exquisite handmade pottery
Their wondrous pottery is made from clay, dug from the Earth
Each and every piece of Acoma clay pottery is a unique creation
It’s a marvelous and ancient skill that has lasted a thousand years
Carefully handed down and revered from generation to generation
Clay water jars, seed jars, dough bowls, food dishes, and clay pitchers
Clay storyteller dolls, and very elaborate double-spouted wedding vases
In our modern world that now spurns ethnic diversity and ancient traditions
For my wife and I, places like Sky City, always bring a little joy to our faces
Designs on traditional Acoma pottery include rainbows, birds (parrots, macaws, and owls), turtles, deer, dragonflies, butterflies, rain, clouds, mountains, lightning, and thunderclouds.
My wife especially loves their marvelous clay Storyteller dolls; and I, of course, love all of their marvelous animal designs.
These Sky City pottery makers to this very day, in their truly wondrous ancient pottery tradition, speak of Earth’s life-giving water, its life cycle, animals, the heavens, and the interrelationship of all things in God’s truly marvelous Creation.
©2008, Mr. Ed
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Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
TL
Fee
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
for me you brought back memories of a family camping trip to this area when my children were young.
peace, Carole~
R~
The pottery from these areas are exquisite!
Thanks, again, Ed, for this continuing beauty.
Micke
Your chronicles will always bring joy because we can see parts of our nation that are out of the way, kind of short cuts to times past.
Enjoy and tell (and help Tall Woman don't messing her teepee)
Georg
:)Christine