Presenting the poetry, books, and photographs of Nancy Wood, 1936-2013
The Nancy Wood Literary Trust is selling eight sets from her original publisher boxes of Hollering Sun, Many Winters, Spirit Walker, Dancing Moons, Shaman’s Circle, and Sacred Fire. These are the last books we have. The sales will help fund the publication of a book of Nancy’s selected poetry. Includes letter of provenance from the trust. If interested please email Info@NancyWood.com.
From War Cry on a Prayer Feather, 1979, by Nancy Wood
What remains beyond us to know
Is sought as meaning and reason
And the obsession to open the universe
Is excused as understanding nature.
In order to use life well
We must surrender our importance
And open ourselves to nature
To discover the universe there.
From Dancing Moons, 1995, by Nancy Wood
Spirit Brothers
We are all one.
The human and the hummingbird
The wild horse and the weasel
The house cat and the red-tailed hawk
The buffalo and the dog
The coyote and the cottontail.
The human spirit and the animal spirit
Grow from a common root
of understanding.
Human dreams and animal dreams
Share the limitless horizon
of our precious mother earth.
The human spirit and the animal spirit
Join where the circle of the sky
meets the circle of the earth.
In this sacred space lies the meaning of the universe.
The meaning of the universe is nothing more
than the appearance of dew on a leaf or
the dance of light on water, even
the conversation between two dogs or
the way a hummingbird flies.
from Spirit Walker, 1993, by Nancy Wood
Three Sisters
We are the Three Sisters of Fire and Earth and Water.
Without us, nothing lives or grows.
We are the Three Daughters of Sun and Moon and Stars.
Without us, no path exists through the universe.
We are the Three Wives of Birds and Trees and Animals.
Without us, there would be no wings or roots or bones.
We are the Three Mothers of Clouds and Wind and Rain.
Without us, our children would go hungry.
We are the Three Friends of Beauty.
Without us, flowers would look like stones.
We are the Three Grandmothers of Wisdom.
Without us, men would only speak of war.
We are the Three Aunts of Endurance.
Without us, what would survive?
From Spirit Walker, 1993, by Nancy Wood
The Story of a Flower
In the season of wild strawberries
I came from the earth as a flower
High on a hill above my village, with only
The Eagle, the Buffalo, the Bear and the Butterfly
To watch the petals of my spirit unfold.
The Eagle spoke first. He said:
Sister; you will never have wings like me,
Except in the pathways of your dreams,
Yet you will fly to the top of the sky
Because I give you the Gift of Courage.
The Buffalo spoke next. He said:
Sister; you will never survive a long time like me,
Except on the trail of your memories,
Yet you will see a thousand winters go by
Because I give you the Gift of Endurance.
The Bear spoke next. He said:
Sister; you will never know the secrets
Of the Four-Legged Animals, since you are only a flower,
Yet the knowledge of all creatures is yours
Because I give you the Gift of Wisdom.
The Butterfly spoke next. She said:
Sister, you believe you are very important,
Because the creatures have given their gifts to you,
Yet here on this hill you will always be at home
Because I give you the Gift of Humility.
So I have lived for many seasons,
Among the Eagle, the Buffalo, the Bear and the Butterfly,
Watching the birds go by, speaking to rain and sky.
My colors have been the colors of the rainbow.
My beauty has given joy to all who see me.
To bloom even when there is no rain
Requires the Courage of the Eagle.
To last through the heavy snows of winter
Requires the Endurance of the Buffalo.
To understand the importance of all seasons
Requires the Wisdom of the Bear.
But to rejoice when my blossoms die
Requires only the Butterfly’s Humility.