Grand-spirits

Grandparents calling, grandchildren crying

feint spirits of the dark morning wind

blowing through my open window

where did you come from?

and where are you going?

beckoning from afar

So many forlorn faces

peering through the empty spaces

so many restless hands

reaching to embrace me, to gently touch me

calling me to a strange and distant place

beckoning me to join them in their reveries

in some strange forest glade

Forest grandchildren

born of the bear, the wolf, the eagle and the beaver

fleet as an antelope, silent as a fawn

you stalk the midnight

across the desert hills and the mountain streams

you dance by the moon light

amongst shadows and shimmering leaves

Grandchildren of the forest

the soul of the whole nation walks where you step

and rests while you sleep

the spirit of a mighty people dreams about forgotten deeds

we trace our destiny in your stars

we count the days till you grow up

and go off to seek your dreams

upon the plains and prairies of the world

Midnight wind blowing

past my bedroom

like a freight train

rushing by the building

walls creak as the winds moan

pressing upon every corner

unrelenting and restless

leaving a hollow, empty stillness

in its wake

Grandparents long gone away

conjuring ghosts get back

go home to your final resting places

across the seas, lakes and streams

through the many trees of the forests of this land

leave this hallowed ground alone

restless people dream and remember

awaken and forget

by Hugh M. Lewis