The Ancient Ones
Posted on August 28, 2010 with 0 comments Last Sunday, Bob and I spent the afternoon at the McClung Museum on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, soaking up knowledge and history of both Man and the natural world, and enjoying so much beauty. I hadn't been to the McClung Museum since I was a teenager. And as some of you know, that's been a VERY long time. I remembered that the McClung's main attraction back then was their Egyptian collection. It still is. That, along with many exhibits pertaining to local geographical and archeological history, especially the Cherokee Indians. I like to take notes when I'm in a museum. Last week, I jotted down some beautiful phrases from the ancient Egyptian texts: "Spend the day happily and weary not thereof Lo, none can take his goods with him Lo, none that hath departed can come again" I've been reading a lot of ancient texts lately. It seems like they keep falling into my hands in unexpected places. I'm beginning to think that the universe has some kind of synchronistic plot afoot in my life. This week, I picked up a volume of Homeric hymns from the free box outside the used book store. And then, at the Good Will, I found a book of Viking lore, with beautiful reproductions and translations of Viking poetry and myth as well as some of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. And then, last Saturday, I went to my friend Andy's yard sale. I picked up a big Bible (because the print was BIG) and when I tried to pay for it, Andy said she couldn't sell a Bible and insisted on giving it to me. And so, I have been reading the King James Version of the Old Testament this week. In dipping into all these ancient texts, I'm struck by how beautiful and profound both the language and the sentiments are. It makes me think that yes, we've come a long way technologically over our ancestors, but I don't think we've surpassed them spiritually or artistically. In fact, I think we may have regressed rather than evolved, in our capacity to express wonder and appreciation of the everyday magic and miracle that is this life, this planet, this galaxy, this universe. When I read their words and thoughts, I know how deeply connected I am to the spirits and accomplishments of the Ancient Ones. I don't want to ever forget that I am the inventor of very little in my own life....I stand on the shoulders of a thousand generations of men and women who have lighted the way before me. I wrote a poem, "The Ancient Ones," this morning. It may become a song one day, but I doubt it. I think it's just one more poem, written on a scrap of paper, on an early Saturday morning, by a simple woman in East Tennessee, in the final year of the first decade of the Third Millennium, A.D. The Ancient Ones In the sweep of sandy tides Artifacts of long lost time Fractured jasper, chips and flakes That only human hands could make Windsong whispers in the pines I search for tools they left behind Awls and axes, scrapers, blades Discarded bones of ancient game I climb the ridge and face the wind I close my eyes and I pretend I am with the Ancient Ones I sense their spirits are not gone Ghosts still fish and hunt this beach A glacier once, now in retreat The drum's my heart The flute's my breath The music lives In one vast web Each of us a tiny thread The sun is low, the hour's late The tide is turning on the lake Wind's kicking up, I'm getting cold It's time for me to go back home Back into the warmth and light Seek shelter from the coming night If I'm lucky, I'll get old Before I join the ancient fold copyright Martha Maria 2010
More poems, lyrics and music by MarMelodian (my pen name) are at my website, www.marmelodian.com
Be Well and Good Luck, Martha Maria