In Honor of World Water Day 2017
This post originated as the product of my ongoing Made Prayers for the
2015 Central Texas floods and fires from November 5, 2015.
Mother Water
A woman kneels by a small pool. In her hand is a large bowl and she is pouring an endless stream of water from the bowl into the pool. Concentric circles radiate out from where the water flows in. The woman’s head is bowed and heavy as she does her job of pouring the water. At least at this moment, this is a very difficult undertaking for her.
Behind her grows an enormous Cottonwood tree. Incredibly straight and taller than any other trees around. It seems vibrant because of this special pool, and this woman who continually pours the water.
There is an unsaid wish to either tell her to stop or to help her pour, but movement behind in the underbrush signals caution. The silhouette of a mountain lion glides by, then two wolves. They watch and guard the woman and her task with ruthless dark eyes. Then, rising on two feet, a large grizzly bear comes into view and roars a threat. The message is simple, direct and primal. These beasts are here to protect this woman’s integrity so she can continue her work.
The water from the bowl falls into the small pool. It then flows into a larger stream which flows over a waterfall. It drops to a river that then snakes over a large plain, down into a delta. From here it goes beyond and becomes the sea. And this journey will continue as Mother Water pours the water from her bowl as she has always done and always will do.
This is what I have seen.
Oh Great Mother, we are grateful for your amazing gift of water and marvel at the balance and healing it holds for all of creation.
This is my journey.
— Nate Long “Owl”