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.