Bronze statue of Chief Noah Sealth (“Chief Seattle”), Chief of the Suquamish, Five Points / Tilikum Place (where Denny Way meets Fifth Avenue, roughly the border between Belltown and South Lake Union), Seattle, Washington. Sculpted by local sculptor James Wehn, unveiled November 13, 1912. On the National Register of Historic Places, ID #84003502. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jan. 31


“There is no quiet place in the white man’s cities, no place to hear the leaves of spring or the rustle of insect wings…the clatter only seems to insult the ears.”—Chief Seattle (Seathl) Duwamish–Suquamish, 1785-1866 

Yes, indeed. This is something I certainly can relate to as I go about my day, and as I try to settle in at night to sleep.

I’m so accustomed now to blare and squawk,
the hum of electricity whining through machines that
keep me warm or keep me cool, tell me when to wake

now when it’s time for sleep, I find silence unsettling.
I reach again for the controls, turn on
the white noise of television, my modern lullaby.

It startles me now in spring when, window open
to call in breezes, I hear forgotten sounds of loons
and Canada geese giving thanks for morning

The neighbouring rooster no longer sings
his call to rouse the farm, even the drab pigeons
no longer coo-roo-coo along the back fence.

CAS Jan. 31, 2015

Jan 29

“All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two, good and evil…” –Letakots-Lesa (Gray Eagle Chief) Pawnee, 19th century

The quote later goes on to say: “the right hand that strikes and makes for evil… the left hand full of kindness near the heart.”

I must say, as a left-hander, it is wonderful to find a view that does not see the left hand as evil or somehow deficient.

Is this trait genetic or an accident of birth,
an odd traverse through birth canal,
a last-minute bias of brain?

There are more of us now amid great speculation
of why and wherefore, some suggestion
the more violent the society the greater its need

We’re not gauche, not sinister, just hampered by
proliferation of tools that make us seem awkward, uncoordinated.
But consider our ability for music, for mathematics, for language…

CAS Jan. 29 2015