Ojibwa Grandmother chant

I lost my Ojibwa Grandmother in 1981. I tried to be like her. Children must know freedom and not be afraid of life.

                                     Ojibwa Grandmother Chant

My dear Ojibwa Grandmother with sad eyes would chant songs of ancient times.
I still can hear them in sweet dreams where I was safe and free.
I remember baby sisters dancing the circle dance for her.
She would smile and laugh when us kids were running free and enjoying our time of youth.


She knew so many and she never told us what they meant to her.
I could hear the joy in her voice. The ancient songs brought joy and peace
to her heart filled with disappointment.

Grandma never liked the ways of the white man. She wanted her children to be free
of the restrains of useless laws and fences. To be fearless and not caged like once free birds.

I wished I learn some of her knowledge. I was too busy learning the white man way of making
money and wanting meaningless things.

I learn 2000 miles away and 20 years later what my Grandmother tried to teach me.
Old Apache told me of the simple things. Love the land, allow the children to run free and
learn what they want and need. Don't abuse the land. She feed us and she give us fresh air,
the forest and the water to drink.

Grandmother hated war. She told me. "Break my heart. I took your father to the station for war in 1951.
Now I take you to learn to kill and fight for a Government who hate our ways.' She told me on a sunny day
at Belle Isle in Detroit. "When I was four years old. The government workers took me from my home. They cut my hair and they gave me a new name. They tried to make me forget my language. I don't hate the White man. I don't hold a grudge. Hate will kill us. I cannot forgive them and you must remember what is in your blood. Once powerful ancient people who lived in peace with the land and animals. We were free once. Not locked in Government prisons."

Today I'm the elder. Like my Grandmother. I take my children and grandchildren to the forest. I allow them
to know freedom. I tell them about the trees, the whispering wind and allow them to swim in the great lakes.
I teach them fairness, honor and kindness.

Now I know who I'm. I accepted my ancient Ojibwa belief with honor and appreciated. I teach my children.
Don't allow the world to fool you. Life is to be lived and celebrated. You must work to survive but ensure you can dance with the wind. Run with the wolves and never  not fear tomorrow.

I take my grandsons to the forest. I burn the sage now. I remember my Grandmother's chants.
I spread the sage and whisper a silence prayer to nature.

                             Give me the kind sun to warm my body.
                             Give me the clean water to keep my body flowing and strong.
                             Give me the food to strengthen my body and soul.
                             I thank you kind sun, the lakes and river and the ancient trees.
                             I know I live because of your kindness.
                             I pray for peace today for my world.
                             Berserkers are running our world.
                             I pray every child had shelter, food and water.
                             I pray our leaders learn.
                             Every life is special and needed.
                             This is one planet and one people.
                             We must get along for the sake of all children.

The sage burned out. I watch my grandsons run free and wild.
I look to the sky and give thanks to  my dear Ojibwa Grandmother for showing me.
Children are our wealth. Without our children.
What would we be?

     Coyote


                            

Author's Note

A new poem. I hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[A. Amos]

Now I know who I'm. I accepted my ancient Ojibwa belief with honor and appreciated. I teach my children.
Don't allow the world to fool you. Life is to be lived and celebrated. You must work to survive but ensure you can dance with the wind. Run with the wolves and never not fear tomorrow.

You have pour your heart, mind and soul in the meaningful piece, such a joy to read people like your grand-mother lived in this world. Respect

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. We need to know where we came from. Our elders are what we become if we are lucky.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome my friend and if you get a chance take a look of my poem, Face of God. I know you will connect with it. Thank you

[Coyote Poetry]

I will return. I work the night shift. I work four days and get four days off. I will read your words on on Thursday.

[A. Amos]

Thank you very much and will check more of your work accordingly.

[Larq]

What a rich heritage-thank you for sharing this piece of your history. I see your heart is tied to God and your grandmother. The connection you have with the earth and its beauty is thought provoking and mystical.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. We must learn from our elders. I like the old saying. "Grandparent have great responsibility. They shape the mind of the children."

[Whitney Shaw]

I really enjoyed it. I love reading about stuff like this, it fascinates me a lot.

[Coyote Poetry]

Real story is the best story. Always good to try to understand the views and thoughts of other places and life. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Odysseus Wanders]

Its is a good poem. Its a wonderful story. And a most blessed prayer.
There is power and truth in your poem... in your elder wisdom, your grandmothers...
and I thank you for speaking it here. I feel that her wisdom, her story, now extend into my world if only by a brush stroke. I too, know something of the old ways, of the inside ways... and also of what has been lost. Without our children we become more than extinct, we become lost to that which tethers us to the fern, the river, the sun, wonder at snow, and the eagles circling high. I never remember as a child looking at a dollar bill, thinking... I want that to take care of me.
Thank you-
Terry

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Terry for reading and the comment. We must remember the past. Maybe we won't repeat the same mistakes?

[Frieda P]

I certainly do think she passed that knowledge down to you Coyote, it's apparent in your poetry, your words have depth and clarity and are always affecting my friend. I love this story.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Frieda. She was a wonderful woman.

[Frieda P]

I felt that through your words John.

[A. H. Pinley]

Coyote, you give the Café much needed depth. I try to think back of what our nation was going through, the era and I can't justify our leaders behavior. So I look at myself, what can I do to strengthen ties between blacks, latinos, American Indian, Liberals, gays and homeless? One, I can build a friendship based off of grace. Second, protect our Constitutional rights without the sludge-hammer approach.

[Coyote Poetry]

Bloodshed isn't the way to peace. This only enhance hate and separation. My dear Grandmother never said a negative word. She wanted her children to grow-up without knowing hate and separation. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Raymond Federle]

A magical write Coyote. Well done my friend. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Raymond. Just old poetry and thoughts coming out with a re-write.

[Robbie~xoxo~]

You are blessed to have such a wonderful Grandmother...and she is blessed to have her memory carried on in your heart...

What a gift you are!...to be like her, is a beautiful thing!
I love how you stir emotions of my own love for my Grandmother...You really hit home with this one...
Thank you for sharing... She will always be cherished...

A heartfelt Tribute, my dear friend!!~xoxo~

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Robbie. My Grandmother was a wonderful woman.