Powdered blood on the desert floor, fine
as the silken sky of night
Contrasting rust against grey limestone,
reflects ancient fire’s light.
While sandstone peaks point to the stars
and the gaping caves demand
Vivid blue spirit skies invite warriors’
souls to rest in this red land.
And the warriors of a far distant war, never
to clasp each other’s hands,
Join in eternal brotherhood according to
the Great Spirit’s commands.
While the desert beasts of air and earth
watch with knowledge of an age
The brothers from new worlds merge on the
red earth’s eternal stage.
Breaths of the Wind Spirits echo and whisper
eerie mournful sounds
Through open gaping pleading mouths of
caves on awesome mounds
The wails of ancient children reply; sounds
of dark and awful pain
The living desert is deathly silent now;
now only ghosts remain.
The ancient rocks and desert sands absorb
the blood of ancient times
As the essence of two warriors join in
the desert words and rhymes
While those who know the truth of all stand
watch up on the heights
To protect the warriors of the past and
ensure that all is right.
©Anthony W. Pahl
30th December 2001
Dedicated to Rebecca GrayEagle and written
as a tribute to her father, Marvin GrayEagle, an American
hero, a Native American, a Vietnam Veteran,
and my friend.
The poem was written a few days after my
pilgrimage to "The Valley of Fire" located in the Mohave
Desert of Nevada, about 50 miles north-east
of Las Vegas. This area was a spiritual favourite of my
friend, Marvin GrayEagle.