Etowah, Standing Pine   (Karena Series)

by Amber "V" Moonstone    4/29/08

Beating drums call her,
She is weary from her journey,
The eagle flies overhead,
guiding her every move.

Nightfall is quickly approaching,
and the children are hungry and cold.
She must find shelter at this next village,
knowing it could be very dangerous.

The drumming increases as the wolf howls,
She is aware of something moving ahead.
She will be brave and journey onward.
The silhouette of a woman stands alone.

"Who are you?" Karena calls out.
I have come to guide you to safety.
I am Etowah, Standing Pine, from that village."
Karena smiles and thanks her kindly.

The blankets are laid out under the shelter,
the children huddle closely next to Karena.
The evening sky steals the sunlight
and the moon glows with starlight wonder.

Karena is at peace for just one night.
Upon awakening, she smells a bad odor,
Just as she opens her eyes,
She can see flames all around her.

She jumps up, shakes the children
and flees toward her horse and baggage.
They escape within moments of their demise.
Karena, cries as she gallops away toward
the safety of the forest.

The white man has done it again,
chased away a whole village
and destroyed everything that was standing.
When Is this destruction going to cease?

Why is there no peace treaty?
This is a disgrace to our ancestors,
They will be sending a message
and The Great Spirit will be angry.

This must stop, I must go to the militia,
surely they will not harm
a woman and her children.
They must listen and stop this killing!

There is no stopping Karena,
she is determined to intervene.

"Great Spirit, hear my prayer,
Bring me safely to the white man, allow
my words to make a difference, stopping
this horrendous destruction of our people!"

Karena, Eagle Medicine Woman

August 1609