Cumspiritik Day by Snipe
Being of The Island
means never taking for granted
what it means to be Alive-
To breathe deep
a cycle as perfect
as the waves that sweep our shores
Today we honor this cycle
and take our part
in the celebration of it-
Cumspiritik Day
Throughout The Island
situated at the ancient sacred sites
The Sunstone Gongs are brought out
these holy instruments were found
by the first settlers to The Island-
down through the years
their function slowly became apparent to us-
a sect of sacred drummers was established
to train apprentices from childhood
for this annual event
This is a day of Silence
there are no parades or picnics
no costumes or contests-
When the Sun reaches its zenith
a single horn calls out in every town
the start of the ceremony
Everyone gathers close
those dearest to them-
family and friends
partners and mates,
And The Gongs Speak
Their low voices travel well
across the land
you feel it before you hear it
and your body responds instinctively-
eyes close
and breathing slows to match
the rhythm of The Gongs
After a time
awareness flares-
and opens up to embrace
those around you
you experience the person next to you
all the way through-
sharing everything with your breath
The Gongs drone on
and The Island hears and responds-
the winds across the canyons
pulse in time with the Gong's call
The Island reaches up
to breathe with every Islander as well-
the sensation
this rush of well being
a flood of warmth
a storm of love to get lost in
The Gongs continue to set the pace
and soon you are no longer
in yourself-
You are a bird soaring high
an ancient redwood in the Basin
a Triceratops sunning in the grass
an orchid
the carved stones of temple ruins
the wind itself
and out to become the Sea itself-
Everyone and Everything
connected by this web
of spirit and breath
The Gongs speed up the tempo
to bring the travelers back home
to themselves
Soon
we open our eyes
wet with tears
to see our friends and family
ringed round us again
The Gongs stand silent
for another year
but the lesson they taught
will linger on.
Cumspiritik Day
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