In a dream she had seen it,

“Go into the womb of earth”

She said

“The Creator stores tools

Underground.”

With respectful silence

They doubted her

And returned to their beds.

In the Hum of change,

the season shifted to fall.

Four women returned

Wide eyed

Laughing.

Everyone watched

As they walked

to the old woman’s hut

and kneeled.

Emptying one basket

Onto the ground:

Shining rocks

Like embers in a fire.

The wise woman appeared

From the door of her hut.

Supported by her grandchildren,

Puppet-like.

Innocent child on either side.

Words fell away,

The village waited for

Something

Anything .

Meaning.

The sound of fighting

Dogs,

The curious caw of a raven,

Whispering  leaves;

Nature’s ululation.

“What does it mean?”

A voice

Cut through the silence

Like profanity.

Clearing her throat

The old woman

Began to laugh,

“You create.”