because of wholeness
I will rattle the corners of your house
chasing tears with tobacco
paint this wood face red
& smiling big,
feed its pain ashes & corn
like everything else
this loses power
in translation
the face I wear is false
but never spoke a lie.
it just means something else
now, more curiosity
than magic
a decoration & spirit-
less, the way our women
turn gracefully
through smoke dances
that were once war patterns,
tamed now to small steps
judged by skill
***To understand this one, you might have to ask a Seneca to explain the False Face Society. Or ask me.
Iroquois false face mask
Susan Daniels Poetry 
Perhaps of hypocrisy and keeping up appearances ?!? I like it all the same… That face looks scary lol
That is a spirit mask the False Face Society wears when they heal people–supposed to represent a spirit, but now most of them are for decoration 😉
oh wow…nice. Gotta google that
Yes–that is basically all I remember about them–not sure exactly why they are called false, though. Unless it is because the dancers have two faces–the “real” and the “spirit.”
“chasing tears with tobacco” your poems are just too unique !!!
tobacco is a sacred herb to native Americans–just one of those quirky cultural things.
wonderful dramatic effects in this, Susan. “feed its pain ashes and corn” “war patterns, tamed now” I wonder if any of us wears our healer-face all of the time.
Oh, I think it would be impossible to do all the time. So glad you liked this!
Is every face not false? Just thinking! Now I ask you! I have always wondered at the genesis of dance steps back home – are they remnants from enactments of rituals from a past age whose meanings are now fading in translation and transition or are they imitations of motions we make in private and which are then translated in modfified and acceptable forms for the public domain? 😉
Hahaha! Love your comments on dancing. Now, she says, straightening her collar and wiping the smile from her face–the origin of the “smoke dance” was a gentler variation on the “war dance” for the Iroquois–they use the smoke dance now for display and competition. As they have not warred with anyone in years, the closest one gets to seeing that is the smoke dance…sigh…not that I’d be allowed to see a war dance anyway 😉
through smoke dances
that were once war patterns,
tamed now to small steps
judged by skill
how did Oscar Wilde define dancing? *** still scratching my head and trying to remember!
Ahem…he had one I vaguely remember about feet in the air…is that the one you are thinking of? I am now trying to decide which of your comments is more subtly naughty.
Qui, naughty? Moi? Jamais. My middle names are INNOCENTIUS SUPERBUS!
Oui, tu! It might be your middle name, but that does not mean you always live up to it–consider it a goal and not an accomplishment 😉
Oscar Wilde? there is one where he mentions vertical and horizontal….** still scratching me head! OK, a bas la pudeur! something like “the horizontal expression of a vertical desire” ***off to see my priest and confessor!
LMAO–oh, THAT one! Almost 1:30 a.m. here, so I hope you will forgive my lack of wit. To make it socially acceptable, DP, I think you need to switch around your directions…unless you WANTED to say it that way. Off to the priest you go…
Oh, that was Robert Frost 😉
Ode to an Iroquois mask
In life I was a warrior
I would bravely hunt the herd
So imagine my embarrassment
That I died this way
And they embalmed my face
As I pushed out a stubborn turd
Sorry – having an irreverent day 😀
Yes, it DOES look like that spirit was captured in a moment of ectoplasmic constipation, doesn’t it? Believe it or not, this guy was the prettiest I could find…
Perhaps now you’ve read my post you’ll understand the generally blasphemous mood!
I did love the poem, but I hope you take that for granted and I can be mischievous instead 😉
Mike–If you ever stop being the irreverently charming guy thumbing his nose at the sun (and no you can’t have it, I just made that up and I am going to use that image, ha ha ha!) and making me laugh, I will be truly offended.
It’s all part of the panda magic…and I never take for granted that anyone would like my doggerel, so thank you!
Goody – I’m licensed to be naughty! 😀
I would not expect you to be anything less than yourself here, and that includes the naughty 😉
I really enjoy this poem and am fascinated by the False Face Soc. Excellent connection.
Thanks, Terry–me too, they have such an interesting story.
Reminds me of Jesus cursing the fig tree– it was all false advertisements — no fruit! Shallow! You’re a heroine ! xo
Yes, exactly–the dance without the threat, the face without the healing spirit–all packaging & no substance.
I find this evocative, Susan
Thank you, Cleestine. I like this one–it examines things that no longer mean what they used to 😉
Both clever and insightful. Love such.
Nelle, thanks. This is what happens when things no longer have the power they used to.