6 in the future tense
Sometimes, under the wild ricing moon…
The girl will build a fire out by the pond, the pond shaped like a star in the Chippewa forest.
when the moon is brightest, shining like glass, she’ll stand on her hands and walk to the edge of the water.
Then she’ll call for the owls and the wolves, and the matron whitetail deer, and the fish will peer up through the marbled water, and she’ll readjust her perspective.
When all the beasts have gathered, they’ll get into the ricing canoe, beached there in the sand, yes all of them, and then the fish will lead, the deer matrons will paddle, the wolves will sing, and the owls will keep guard, and they’ll all go out to the island, and write the recipes for the new year.
After the writing is complete, she drop back to her feet, and they’ll all get back into the canoe and watch as the moon drops lower, til they reach the shore again.
When it’s time to go, she’ll touch all of the beasts on their cheek, and walk back to town with the recipes tucked under her arm, Sometimes, under the wild ricing moon…
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Posted by wood0072 at November 17, 2005 10:04 AM