The hypnotic dance of starlight on ripples of lake water stirred by whispers of wind brings to life visions of a youthful Sissipahaw hunter. He belongs to the clan of the bear. Pockets of cultivated terrain and pristine wilderness along the Haw River and its numerous tributary creeks are their ancient homelands. This afternoon he treads the dense woodlands in pursuit of turkeys and deer. A successful hunt will bring welcome change to his family's meals of fish, farmed corn and beans.
His mind wanders briefly. This evening his tribe's story teller will capture imaginations with tales of strange white men who first came generations ago in search of gold. She is the keeper of age-old stories and memories. Gathering by the flicker of camp fires serves two purposes. First, to entertain the younger generation. Secondly, to deliberate courses of action and allay unease about rumors of much more aggressive white invaders to the north and east of their village.
© Ilija Lukić 2015
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| Sissipahaw Reverie |
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