The land Herself holds the most memories of times past, as She always has and always will. She remembers fondly the gatherings of the People, the steps of the Elders and the children as they danced in circles upon her bare Earth.

She remembers the steps of the children as they ran and jumped and played under the clear blue sky. She can still fondly recall the faltering steps of the smallest ones as they took their first tottering steps, and the slow steps late at night as they reluctantly went off to bed for the night.

She remembers the feel of the footfalls of the young couples in love as they seemed to float above the ground..... so deep were they in each others hearts. The soft graceful steps of the young maidens, dark hair blowing loose in the wind as they went down to the river for water or for washing. The steady confident steps of the young men as they waited for the maidens to emerge from the waters, to help carry their loads and possibly see some affection reflected in the eyes of the maidens. The careful wandering footfalls of the young maidens answering the call of a beautiful flute tune, sent out to ride the wind, to carry a song of love for the maiden.

She can still feel the imprints of the warriors as they danced under the hot sun, dancing their hunt to ensure it was a success. She can still feel the drops of sweat as their hard lean bodies exerted themselves, straining for the power of the dance to make the hunt a success for all. She can remember the heat from the campfires as they celebrated their joyous victory well into the night. And she recalls the feel of the footprints as the warriors met up with their women to continue the celebrations in private.

She feels the gentle steps of the Elders as they walked across Her surface during their daily life, teaching and listening to those who sought their wisdom. She can feel their gentle touch as they greeted each tree and blade of grass, sharing their years of experience with other timeless beings. She fondly remembers the times when the old ones would journey to their personal  sacred places to seek guidance and wisdom for others who asked for help on one thing or another. She can still hear their words on the winds as they sat around the fires and told stories of their youth.

She also remembers the times when the warriors would mount their horses and seek vengeance against those who invaded the peace of the land so long ago, bringing their sickness and weapons of war.  She remembers the tears that fell upon Her skin as the maidens shed tears of sorrow for the fallen warriors who were laid to rest within the arms of the Creator. She remembers sadly the heavy laden steps that were trod as the People were herded from the land they were caring for, herded far away under the direction of the invaders to land that was barely alive. She recalls how many of the People fell under the severe situations imposed by these strange people with strange purposes, and in Her own way She cried.

Now, where once there was life so full of peace, there is only an emptiness, a hallow space in which the winds echo around and around. In the space She remembers as the ghosts of the children and Elders and the rest of the People dance around the space, dancing with the winds and the birds for all time.......
 
 

First Opened: November 13, 2000
Revised: June 2004