I shall congregate with maskers
circle dance their holy ground…
lift its soft warm dust to clouding
with my bare…bare tender feet
ki-tana-po, ki-tana-po, ki-tana-po
ai-na, ki-na-wchi, ki-na-weh
take up chants…petition spirit
croon a cadence rise and fall…
imbrue thought…and bear the
weight of a vast imagining
chi-li-li-cha, chi-li-li-cha
don-ka-va-ki, mas-i-ki-va-ki
stretch my arms to the horizon
caress air with open palms…
shoulder weave above the plaining
and think locus to the earth
kive, kive-na-meh, kive-na-meh
kive, kive-na-meh, kive-na-meh
for I’ve access…if I wish it
to a universal voice…I’ll overlay
significance…I’ll imagine wisdom
in its ancient keening howl or…
its whispering syllables
ki-tana-po, ki-tana-po, hopet*
Bonnie Marshall
Artwork by John Farnsworth
“Apache Mountain Spirit Mask
*The ancient Hopi words of this chant have lost their English equivalent.
Proem... 
Very well done Bonnie, kudos. >Smiles >KB
Glad you like it, KB. Smiles…
Vowels are an ancient language… they reach further than sound alone. And poetry is the mother of all “imagination” . Loved this one Bonnie….
Thinking…you know I’m always pleased, Jana, when you like one of my poems. Haven’t been writing much for a while, so this one feels extra good. Smiles for you, my esteemed poet friend.
powerful magic there Bonnie!
Grateful you think so, John. Very.
Wonderful – I love the chant- reminds me of one I used to llullaby my second baby to sleep with, chanting and stamping with him in my arms, Worked a treat.
And…he sensed his mother’s love. Potent mix. Smiles and thank you.
I am transported to another space and time! Amazing!
Happy to provide some travel time, Nancy. Some of us need it more than others. Smiles…
enjoyed this, bonnie. your audio file was so helpful. also, it’s wonderful to witness you using your imaginative powers to transport you and your readers to a consciousness which seems both alien and familiar.
Ah, you sensed how much fun I had writing it, Michael. Know I appreciate your gracious comment…very much.
I often come back to your postings, Bonnie. It takes awhile to feel, hear, see everything. This morning I woke wanting to sink deep into this one. I hadn’t even listened the first time. Chaotic (but creative) state of being. I’m now on my third time listening. That line…”shoulder weave above the plaining” …so beautiful. so so beautiful….
Aww, dear poet friend. I’m glad I wrote it…if for no other reason than your reading of it. Know I’m pleased you found the plaining line. The chant has been with me for many years.