Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Geenivike and Ouray

Geenivike and Ouray

I try to invision a time we may have known each other before this time, I envision a young Indian maiden and the image of a great bird, whose images together represent the merging of spirits. It is as if a kindred spirit dwells between the two.  The bird is crying and it's tears represent trepidation for all of mankind, and it's heart bleeds for man's self-destructive nature and the many broken hearts and spirits.  My impression is that you share this sentiment, and it is that which compelled you, in part, to help others.  I perceive you to have a profound concern for those wounded hearts and spirits whose lives are so heavily burdened.  This is why I write this story about an insightful young Indian maiden who was a healer and interpreter of dreams for her tribe. 

This story takes place many years before the white man came to this land, where neither wars nor winters existed, and only American Indians wandered it's hills and valleys. Geenivike (Crying Bird) a young Indian girl, named by her grandmother who looked upon the child's sad birdlike eyes which filled with tears reminded her of the great ocean and named her Geenivike, which means water.  As a young girl gazing upon the stars with her grandmother, the tribe's shaman, she was told the birds would be her spirit guides.  Under the stars her grandmother told her the story of a young Indian princess that she descended from. There were majestic mountains overlooking the great waters, in her mind it was a magical place, home of magnificent giant redwood trees. She pointed up to the stars in the sky and told her of Tama, her face lifted upward to the sky. As the legend went this beautiful Indian maiden was cast under the spell of her shaman mother, who feared the girl's betrothal to a warrior brave of a neighboring tribe. The princess will awaken; the story goes, when peace reigns among all people. This is what will be in your spirit and destiny.  Geenivike grew and became wise for her years, and was very respected.

 In the tribe there was an Indian warrior named Ouray, whose name originated from being born beneath the Archer constellation.  A star appeared to the Indian tribesman in a dream asking to live among the tribe. The star appeared to the tribesman as a young woman who has grown weary of wandering the skies and would rather be near the people whose children play so happily. The young star woman appears to the man in his dream to petition his help.  In turn his tribe gives the star visitor a welcoming wedding ceremony, with dancing and prayers.  The star visitor is given choice of an earthly form, and transforms into a bluebird.   In seeking knowledge of what the dream meant he in turn asks Geenivike, who is respected for her wisdom in the tribe for advice and guidance.  

Geenivike smiles in wonder at the young brave, and asks him how the dream makes him feel.  He answers, "Is it so strange for me to wish to have someone to care for and who will care for me?" If not, why have I not found that one?  He's searching for what his physical form longs for on this great planet.  He wants to stay close to his people.  But he is still finding his way.  The star symbolizes the light, which we all seek in hopes of happiness and sense of belonging.


Geenivike had no answer for the Indian brave, but she sat and listened to him because she could hear the loneliness in his voice.  Every morning for the passing of seven suns, Geenivike came and listened to Ouray's thoughts on what this dream symbolized for him.  As each day passed, the loneliness felt by Ouray began to fill Geenivike.  Geenivike had a love for birds; the birds had been her spirit guides, and all birds she loved.  The bluebird came to her one day and told her of her travels, that she had met a beautiful Indian maiden, who could do all the work that needed to be done to keep her lodge in order and to satisfy her mate.  But this maiden did not have what she longed for-her mate.  As she sat under a large tree one day, I heard her ask me, Bluebird, is it so strange for me to wish I had someone to care for and who will care for me?  In listening to the bluebird she could tell this Indian maiden felt the same loneliness that Ouray had described, realizing that these two lonely people had the same wish, to find another who would love and care for them as they would care for their mate.  Geenivike planned to have the bluebird assist in bringing these two lonely souls together.

While listening to Ouray the following day a bluebird flew into their dwelling appearing ill.  Geenivike shared her concern for this bluebird and told Ouray that thiswas the sign in his dream, that he should follow this bluebird.   The brave became concerned, for the Bluebird had become a symbol of his partner and that which he longed for in his dream. As the brave walked toward the Bluebird, she began hopping, leading him to the Indian maidens lodge.   Distracted by concern for the bluebird's well being, Ouray failed to realize how far he had wandered from his home while following his feathered friend. The Bluebird saw the Indian maiden sitting outside of her lodge and when he came very close to her (to where the brave would see the Indian maiden), the bird flew away. The brave saw the Indian maiden and realized that he had wandered far from his home. He went to the Indian maiden to ask where he was.  The Bluebird sat in a tree and observed at first the brave was shy and the maiden would not talk, but they soon were talking and laughing like old friends.  She saw this and thought that it was good. Realizing that she had done all that she could and now it would be up to the brave and maiden.  The bluebird flew anxiously to share the events of the day with Geenivike.  After happily sharing her news she flew away into the evening sun.  As the bluebird flew to her home Geenivike contemplated how her Spirit had known that someday the two would find each other. Now it was good, she thought, that Ouray had someone who would see him for the man he was and the Maiden had someone that would see her for the woman she was.  Now they would each know they have someone who would care.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Loved this so much. I read it several times before adding comment. I wanted to stroll through the entry and not miss anything. Beautiful entry. Enjoyed it very much.  **Barb**
http://beta.journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK/

Anonymous said...

wow what a beautiful story!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story Deveil.  You have great talent.  Ouray is named after an Indian Chief.  Perhaps you should put this town on your traveling agenda.  It is really quite beautiful there.  Blessing to you,

Marlene-PurelyPoetry

Charlie's Place said...

Beautiful Derek.