Long before the fist of conquerors,
Patagonia gave birth to people
who harvested Earth’s fruits
under the aegis of their wise gods.
Traditions flourished unhinged to creeds,
like mighty condors
soaring on currents of air.
Rituals marked elemental time
of water, trees and rocks;
soft pipes played ancient rhythms
of mapudungun,
myths of lands without fences.
Oral legends, not history books,
shared destinies harboured in memories.
Nature’s seasons
blessed by music of the spheres,
echoe from concave mandalas.
Now Mapuche reclaim truth and liberty
to quiet drumming of kultruns.
The power of regwe,
submerged under artificial lakes,
machi hail their God’s gift of sparkling rivers
and his tribes patiently await…¡marichiweu!
Mapudungun= Mapu: Earth, dungun= speech of the people.
Kultrun= concave drum with painted mandala.
regwe= sacred glades in the woods.
Machi= Healer and adviser.
Marichiweu= 10 times we will be victorious!
Comments
Nice Piece
One of the best piece that accentuates the beauty of nature. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, chima, for your
Thank you, chima, for your kind comments. Yes, I love Nature and everything about her.
Best, Gracy
Hello Teddy, I'm glad you
Hello Teddy, I'm glad you enjoy my poem. I was brought up to respect and love Nature, so I often write about these topics. Next time I shall change subject, enough is enough.
Thank you, Gracy
As I read your poem I felt i
As I read your poem I felt i was in the mist of some ancient Greek epic. After looking up all the unknown words I saw it was a different setting, so my mind realized it was the feel of classicism your poem projected. Bravo!
Hi tyro, glad you liked my
Hi tyro, glad you liked my poem. I put the translations at the end, did you have to look up any more? I wasn't thinking classicism, but if it reads that way to you, great. The history of indigenous people does indeed have similarities to Greek epics, except that they only had oral language until the last century. And I think they loved Earth more than the Greeks and especially modern industries.
All the best, Gracy
Dear Gracy
I too thought that this is an accomplished piece, it should be published in a poetry book or magazine. Your love of Pategonia shines all through.
Kudos!