Old Mother

The ashes of our ancestors are sacred. Their resting place is hallowed ground. The Wagon People of the plains are living evidence of a cycle of existance. That cycle extends as far back as our year keepers memory, and even beyond. Our ancestors are the very chain of Being that links us in that cycle from the past to the present, just as our children link us to the future. It is through our Ancestors and our children that we know who we are and where we stand in the world.

OLD MOTHER

The young woman looked up at the pyre. Draped in all the worldly belongings the old healer favored, it almost seemed like her sleeping platform and much less like what it actually was..her last and final resting place before she made her journey to the Cities of Dust. As people of the tribe walked forward to pay their last respects, the young woman watched in silence. When it was her time to make her way forward, she did so with her chin held high and no emotion seen. When she was close enough, she placed gifts in Old Mothers pockets..a white feather to help her spirit find its way, a bit of larl fur to give her courage, a light blue pebble to help her remember her place in the tribe, and lastly, a small scrape of cloth, damp from the tears the young woman had shed when she found the old womans body.

Old Mother Why Can't I Follow You?

As she stood there looking at the empty shell that once had been the woman she lovingly called Old Mother, the Ubar stepped forward and placed a hand on her sleeve, speaking in a voice only loud enough for the young woman to hear. "Kaeli, it is time...you must let her go now".
NO! She could not go..it wasn't her time. She wasn't dead..she was just resting. Please Old Mother..open your eyes...I am here...I will not leave you. I will fetch the water...I will tend the fire..Please wake now and show me you are only resting. Old Mother have I disappointed you somehow? Are you angry? I promise to be good. Do not leave me alone. She gently smoothed back the strands of hair from her forehead..hair that as always, seemed to curl this way and that. She looked at Old Mothers face, so peaceful in sleep, her lips curling into the slightest of smiles. She touched her cheek, soft and smooth even in death. The young woman knew in her heart that the woman she had grown to love was not just resting. When she had found her the morning before, she had known it. And, the night before that, as Old Mother had risen from the fire, she had given Kaeli a look that the young woman had never seen before...a haunting look as though she was gazing upon her for the last time. When the young woman had risen to follow, Old Mother had just shook her head "Do not follow me little one..stay here and enjoy the warmth of the fire for a bit longer". Oh Skies Old Mother..why didn't you tell me this was your last night? I would have followed you. I would have held you and comforted you until morning. I would not have let you pass unattended. I could have healed you..
Why can't I follow you?
As she stood before the pyre, her finger went to to wipe a stray tear from the corner of her eye..Her heart felt as thought it was going to burst, and she prayed that it would. She could not bring herself to step away, she did not want to be alone again, and she could not bear a future that didn't have Old Mother in it. Oh please, let her open her eyes and smile again! She clutched the old healers hand, hoping her strength would bring the color back to her cheeks, but it was not to be, and when the Haruspex brought forth the fire that would send Old Mother on her journey, the young woman was tempted to block him from his task. For a brief moment she held her hand..One last moment of connection before the Haruspex touched the torch to the pyre.........

Lay down your head
And I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years
Of loo-li,lai-ley
And I'll sing you to sleep
And I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love
For the road that you go

May you sail fair
To the far fields of fortune
With dimonds and pearls
At your head and your feet
And may you need never
To banish missfortune
May you find kindness
In all that you meet

May there always be angels
To watch over you
To guard you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you
Safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley

May you bring love
And may you bring happieness
Be loved in return
To the end your days
Now fall off to sleep
I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for a while
And sing Loo-li, lai-ley

May there always be angels
To watch over you
To guard you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you
safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-ley

"SLEEP SONG"
SECRET GARDEN