Paiute Shaman
His long thin braids have deerskin fringes.
He wears silver and turquoise talismans.
Sacred datura, ceremonies,
sweat lodges, let him see
several worlds with eyes
that penetrate the darkness of caves
in canyon walls
where many old ones are lain.
He knows worlds within worlds
from Utah to Viet Nam
where village elders tell similar stories.
The Paiute shaman knows
guiding spirits will emerge
in the end when
fires and floods ravage
this world.
Then red haired guides
will take us by our hands
as we walk into time and space
and lead us out.
