Peter Blue Cloud; "Rattle" (Adaptation)

 When a world is born, the old turns itself inside out, to cleanse and prepare for new beginnings.

Let us shake

the rattle

to call back

a rattlesnake

to dream back

    the dancers.

When the wind 

sweeps earth

there is fullness

of sound,

we are given

a beat

to dance by

and drum,

now join us.

and flutes

are like gentle

birds and

crickets on

branches,

swaying trees.

The fan of 

winged hawks

brush clouds like

streaks of

white clay upon

a field

of blue sky

water base.

The seeds in

    the pod

of a plant

are children

of the sun

of earth

that we sing

we are

a rainfall voice

a plumed

and sacred bird

We are

shadows come back

to protect

the tiny seedling

we are

a memory in

a single dance

which is all

dancing forever.

We are eyes

looking about

for the children

What sound do they

run and play

our echoes

our former joys

in today?

Let us shake

the rattles

for the ancients

who dwell

upon these lands

whose spirits

joined to ours

guide us

and direct us

that we

may ever walk

a harmony

that our songs be clear.

Let us shanke 

the rattle

for the fliers

and swimmers

for the trees

and mushrooms

for tall grasses

blessed by a

snake's passage.

Then for insects

    balance

and winds

which bring rain

and rivers

going to sea

and all

Things of Creation

Let us

Shake the rattle

Always, forever.