Sunday, October 12, 2014

An Altered State of Mind



© Don Holland, OR, April 2007


















in the early morning sunrise
breaking night's dark silence
pounding heart of my drum
thump
  thump
    thump
     thump
drifting into another distant  realm
my spirit soars to high  mountain tops
inhaling  deep aroma of green pines

another beat of the drumstick
I fly with the red tailed hawk
gliding over mossy river banks
thump
   thump
     thump
       thump
clearer vision in my  peripheral view
stirring my awareness , synchronicity
between human and wild raptor

buffalo skin, stretched with each beat
chanting rhythm of ancient songs
leading my spirit to where it belongs
thump
  thump
    thump
      thump
haunting melody,  hypnotic  trance
induces a dream dance of two souls
barefoot entering the sacred circle

joining hands with the wolf and bear
uniting the past with the present
transformation, with each beat
thump
  thump
    thump
      thump
searching for all I can find
in an altered state of mind
awakening with each vibration

sharing with Poets United




38 comments:

  1. i would love to be part of a native american ceremony like that...a trick to the sweat lodge...a vision quest....finding my spirit animal...

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    1. There is so much to learn from the ancient ways. To care for the earth and be in tune with life.

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  2. I can hear the drumbeats, Truedessa, and feel communion with nature through your words.

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  3. I like how you set the tone at the beginning and the 'deep aroma of green pines'. I like how we witness this ceremony from the inside and the connection with nature.

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  4. Sends out the tones for something to draw near, off in another realm without any fear.

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    1. Drifting into another realm where discoveries await.

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  5. I once attended a drum circle. It was primal and moving and absolutely amazing. This brought the magic back for me, Truedessa.

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    1. Drum circles and dream circles are both primal but, awaken the soul to new experiences and understanding.

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  6. joining hands with the wolf and bear...nice symbolism in this - and the eagle carries such a lot of majesty as well

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    1. I have joined hands with the bear and wolf in the Friendship dance..the eagle is a friend of mine as well. When I see
      these birds I take note.

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  7. So beautiful, Truedessa. Love "synchronicity between human and wild raptor"......the buffalo skin, the ancient songs.....joining hands with wolf and bear. This was a simply glorious read - soul-satisfying!

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    1. Hi Sherry, I am sure this one speaks to your heart as well as we hear those drums.

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  8. I can understand that deep feeling of being connected with those drums and chants.. Great feeling to hold hands with those beasts.

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    1. Thanks Bjorn, the bear spirit is indeed a powerful beast..smiling..always glad to be friends with one.

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  9. i hear your drum beat for i soared as an eagle once

    gracias for sharing

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    1. I am sure your adventure with the eagle was amazing..I have flown with the eagle a time or two..Would love to hear your story some time.

      Thank you for visiting...

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  10. "uniting the past with the present / transformation, with each beat'...what lovely lines and so thought provoking...

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    1. Thank you may we always carry the beat in our hearts...

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  11. You've described a great unity in this striking picture.
    Steve K.

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    1. Thank you, a unity felt for some time...

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  12. This was exceptionally done. I could almost hear the ceremony through reading these words. Wow.

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    1. Hi Keith,

      It is good to see you again, you have been missed. I am glad you could feel and hear the sounds of the drums. They are quite remarkable.

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  13. American Indians know how to connect with the world around them. Really liked this one, Truedessa.

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    1. We could learn a lot from their culture as they carry traditions from generation to generation honoring nature in many ways. Thank you for visiting as always.

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  14. I can hear the sounds weaving throughout with the thump, thump, thump ~

    Specially like this: chanting rhythm of ancient songs
    leading my spirit to where it belongs

    I would be interested to know my animal spirit and appreciate the native's spiritual quest ~ Wonderful post Truedessa ~

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    1. Thank you Grace, I wonder what animal spirit would be yours?

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  15. Very nice.
    I especially like these lines: haunting melody, hypnotic trance
    induces a dream dance of two souls

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    1. Thanks Robyn for following..nice to see you here..

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  16. I love the formation of the words. Really brings you to the center of this ceremony. Also, this reminds me how much I love Native American music. I can't think of any other music that really brings out the feeling of connecting with nature like their music does. Great to listen to while writing.

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    1. Thanks for visiting..I agree the music can be inspiring.

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  17. interesting rhythm and flow of the poem, very meditative.

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    1. Thank you a bit reflective for sure..

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  18. The repetition is so effective, as is the shape of this lovely poem.

    =)

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    1. Thanks Susan, when I look at the shape sideways it reminds me of wings.

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  19. Good one! The imagery is fantastic. I can see myself flying with the red tailed hawk. Excellent:))

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    1. It is good to fly with red tailed hawk much can be seen.

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