The Valley of Echoes

II - At Valley’s Edge - The Shamans

Zenith's of Summers

Arrogant Shaman's rule guilt

Ignorant to own.

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Waking up, shaking strange dreams away

Down the remaining path I trod

With Shaman’s screaming, ‘You, why here

Think you higher than we, even god?’

As thus I had come to this, the Valley of Echo’s edge

In lightening shadows, Sun just breaking through

Attentive ears connected to heart

Knowing full well ahead… this awful zoo.

Gold and Silver Light Energies set, high to low

Facing below where Echoes roundly merged

Sound out I now, hoped clarion call from within

To separate out friends, from Dead’s restless dirge.

Sang I slowly, my very own brought out melody

Connecting memories too, for those there within

Of battles fought, lost, and won

Through centuries long, well-stuffed with sin.

For yes, I too remembering, had beat a dark drum slowly

And moaned my own songs lowly

Walking my own deathly march

Dried blood trail leading me on.

Though away, finally wandered from this dark Valley

Of Echoes never-ending

Hiked higher forgiveness, wishes sending

Peaceful ending, fighting for my Soul.

Echoes shifted below, ever so slightly

As old memories infringed on their dark cadence

Separating, since exception became present

Total allegiance made less sense to fence.

The old friends that once did know me

Ghostly came to the Valley entrance

And seeing me, their friend, went silent

Remembering our songs, air becoming less dense.

Oh yes those coming, still carried their dark drums lowly

Ready to return moaning their songs slowly

With others having walked, dead marching

On dried blood trails, misted, then gone.

Having come to this dark, wronged Valley

Of sown then reaping Echoes, never-ending

Their monotone wishes still sending for

Peaceful ending, rest for their weary Souls.

Shamans scattered, seeing my song’s secret breaking

‘You can’t go near’, many supposed wise did yell

‘Special protocols here, all must be met

Before secrets to you given…

Echoes yielding up their hell’.

‘And what secrets be there’, I sang back aloud

‘You keepers of your keys

For no joy or victory sounded in song

Would of your good, make me believe.

In this place, entrance to this Valley so long and high

One senses echoes of deep loss, and yes, regrets

Of secret fields beyond, long dark, plowed and dry

Sown with seeds dying, now too, seeking final rest

Which to remaining remnants of your songs, Echoes do attest.’

‘It be you’, the Shamans shouted

‘We know that song you’ll try to sing

Blasphemer, escaped from his own chains

So gladly off, did them you fling.

Well-marked we thought you guarded

Now see we you here, freely wandering again

Take heed, lest we form against you

Leading you back to live, to this place again, we send.

You’ll not get from us our secrets

To unsaddle these just fell desserts

For eternity yawns its cavernous mouth

Swallowing all who deserve this, the worst.’

‘Such haughty words’, I sang them back

‘In arrogance covering, your innocence’s proclaimed

As if in judging, made your conspiring’s right

And in your judgments, left you so free from blame.

In this, I came not for your tidy secrets

I have no reasons, agenda need's to know

Be glad though, I am not the reaper

Who for you all, has come to sow.

For now, I roam Worlds with indifference

No key need be forged to open your dark gates

For I am here, to claim nothing as due my Self

Nor your precious secrets, for me to take.

Since where I stand, sit, lay, or roam now

At will do I find free, ready entrance

From trails which now sing me welcome

Long lifetimes well paid

Lessons learned... through humbled penance.

So, now I see here where the Walkers come

Some old friends among them passing by

And I fail to see their sins so heaped

They must join this awful dirge, as died.

On same memory paths, I past trod too

With them and you, both narrow and long

Where too as brothers we together marched

In times past went singing, your taught darkest songs.

Know I share our memories still, as if alive

Though having nothing, for which here to repent

For the trail I followed, was all my very own

Up to the mountain high, a different passage

As was meant.

Oh yes, I alone then beat a drum steady

Singing my forgiveness song ready

Seeking my own deliverance

Repentant Trail’s Light, leading me on.

Took a different trail from this dark Valley

Echoes misting from found, redeeming Waters

To your claims, gave them no quarter

Peaceful ending came, rest for my Soul.