He Who Walks a Different Path

 

He Who Walks a Different Path

Beneath the mountains and the strath

came, he who walks a different path

a gentle being of Mohawk mind

who felt for others and was kind.

Yet from his village he did roam

into the forest he called home

he talked to birds of every girth

all the creatures that walked the earth.

The bond that grew made them his friends

an understanding with amends

a mortal conscious bond and call

with promise to protect them all.

One day his world was set aflame

when hunters of the village came

and took his closest conscious friend

his grief and anger would not mend.

He believed all life was deserving

sentient life was worth preserving

so, when the hunters came that day

he told his friends to run away.

The starving hunters soon caught on

when all their prey had left and gone

chased, he who walks a different path

into the mountains with their wrath.

Up at the top, with feelings grim

where just the clouds could visit him

there were no creatures, and few birds

when sadness came and took his words.

He felt alone, began to pray

asked God to take his grief away

upon the highest mountain range

his body then began to change.

Creator blessed him for staying true

to purpose he was tasked to do

the given task when he was born

God changed him then from human form.

A golden eagle then took the skies

with soaring spirit and conscious eyes

above the mountains and the strath

flew, he who walks a different path.

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About this Poem: Inspired by a Mohawk legend about a boy who turned into an eagle.

Inspired by KiiskeeN'tum (She Who Remembers)
Turtle Island Centre Family Services
Manitoba, Canada

Link to Story: How the Eagle first came to the people