In the last great meeting
medicine chiefs rode down from the mountains,
bears crossed the wide rivers,
eagles left the coastline, beavers their dams,
trees pulled up roots, birds took wing,
whales swam up river
and salmon walked the shore.
From the furthest horizon
Incas, Aztecs, ageless Lamas,
Sisters of the Silent Veil
and the Order of the Golden Ball
gathered with the ants and honey bees
and animals of every description.
When the ocean spoke
her words inscribed a spread of clouds
before dissolving in the light
of a never seen star.
Then a groan from the earth
closed the ancient book
with the last gasp of compassion
and the land opened in blood and ecstasy
as a new babe wailed with a cry of delight.