Sunday, October 5, 2014

SUNDAY IS FOR POETRY: We Say Thank You to the Earth


 
 
by Joanne Shenandoah/Lawrence Laughing
(this poem is Lawrence Laughing's usage of English, verbatim)
 
In respect to our home the earth, we say thank you to the earth.
For everything that she gives to us; nourishing us every day.
We give thanks to all the water in the world; everything within that water.
We give thanks to all the grass that lives on the land. We give thanks to all the berries,

the fruits, the medicines.

We give thanks to the animals that keep the forests clean.
We give thanks to all the trees for their different uses that they give to us,
For shelters, for fires that we make in the winter time keeping us warm.
 
We give thanks to the birds who sing their beautiful songs.
We give thanks to the four winds.
We give thanks to the grandfathers; The ones that bring the rain.
We give thanks to our oldest brother, the sun, Who shines his light everyday.

We give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the moon,
For she is the one that has been charged with the duty
 To make sure that light has a continuance.
She is the one that watches over all the movements
Of the water and also the water within us.
We give thanks to the stars, her helper.
 
 And we give a special thanksgiving to the four sacred beings that watch over the human family.
Sometimes we notice them when we are traveling in dangerous places.
They are the ones that come to our minds.
And say go around, don't go any further.
To protect us and steer us away from danger.

 So that's what we do.
We start right from the earth and we climb the ladder right to the special place beyond the heavens.
Where there's a special spirit that lives there.
The spirit that made it possible for us to be here.
And everything that we have mentioned.
 
And so with the collectiveness of our minds and hearts,
We send a special thanksgiving and greeting to the great spirit of us all.
 

Prayer for Peace, Lawrence Laughing




Mother Earth, Joanne Shenandoah


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful Petra!

Adore Joanne Shenandoah but haven't heard of Lawrence Laughing until now.

I so admire the Native Americans' reverence for nature.

Thank you for sharing their prayer.

K. :)

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

Thank you, K.

I so wish we all felt the same. The planet would be so much healthier; cleaner water, air, and earth. We've neglected it so badly. I believe this prayer is beautifully simple and profound at the same time.

It's been a while since I've visited Vermont this time of year. It must be breathtaking, K! :))



Ron said...

Petra, what a gorgeous post!

There is so much to learn from the Native Americans. And not only about nature and respecting it. But also for their knowledge in using the earth for it's natural ability to heal us.

I am so into herbs and natural healing which originates from Native Americans.

I once had a healing session from an Native American shaman. And it was an amazing experience!

Thank you so much for sharing this beautifully touching post, my friend.

"We start right from the earth and we climb the ladder right to the special place beyond the heavens.
Where there's a special spirit that lives there.
The spirit that made it possible for us to be here."

I loved that!

I loved the videos too Especially the last one.

X

Anonymous said...

Would that all Americans had the reverence for nature that native Americans have; we would be much better off. Thanks, Petra.

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

Hi, Ron! I would like to know more about natural healing. I believe in homeopathy and the use of herbs and earth, but am still a novice.

Now, working with a shaman must have been an incredible experience. I'd love to try but wouldn't know where to begin.

Definitely my favorite part of the prayer as well, Ron. I believe in the good of the universe, and its soul and spirit.

Always loved Native American music, spiritual music. Joanne Shenandoah is one of my favorites!

Hope you've been having a nonstop birthday celebration, Ron! :))

petra michelle; Whose role is it anyway? said...

Wholeheartedly agree with you, Anonymous. :))

Thank you for stopping by.