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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