Countryhuman Art #2

When two Worlds Collide

(Native America and Great Britain)

Things were quiet this morning. Not too quiet, but a nice type of quiet with a few birds chirping and water running.

I was waiting for the others to join me for a discussion that we had planned today. They came from all over this land; from the east, west, north, and south. We each had a different background that we came from and, with that, came different viewpoints.

I was from the slight south, but my place, where we were going to meet, was near the upper corner of my territory. My territories were run by the seven elders, who make the rules and guided rituals.

I was currently sitting inside of my wigwam on a fur-skin tarp. It was hot in there because it was near the end of summer, but this was the coolest part of the day and it was hard to believe that things could get any more unbearable.

I decided to go outside to find a stream to cool off. I stood up from my position on the ground, made my way towards the opening in the shelter, and slipped on my pelted shoes before I left.

The sun immediately started to beat down on my face, my shoulders, and my hair. It was an unpleasant burning sensation that I had to get rid of.

I quickly ran into the nearby forest in search of relief. I hopped over twigs, swerved around bushes, and felt the wind rush onto my skin and braided hair.

It felt nice to run through shaded woodlands. It made me feel a bit childish, but in a good way. A way that made me feel free, not that I wasn't, but spiritually free.

My running came to a halt shortly after I started, when I stumbled across the creek that I occasionally visited.

My chest was huffing up and down by this point and I needed a drink. I removed my shoes and placed them down, while I carefully made my way over to the stream; barefooted.

I entered the cool water and bent down to scoop a portion of it into my hands. I brought my hands up to my mouth and drank the clear liquid. My dress might have gotten wet, but I was sure that it would be dry by the time I got back to the place.

And, with feeling cooled off, I backed out of the river, onto the muddy bank, and slipped on my shoes.

As I was about to leave, I heard some splashing in the water and some cries for something. I instantly whipped my head in the direction of the two sounds and spotted a man running from a wild creature that looked like a wolf.

Before I knew it, I was shouting for him to get over here and to follow me. His eyes frantically spotted mine, and I started running, because if there was one wolf, there was always a pack not too far behind it.

I ran back the way I had come with the stranger and wolf in toe. I jumped over branches, slipped on mossy rocks, and swung around trees.

Once I got closer to my destination I scrambled for the shelter provided by the wigwam. I also yelled out for assistance in case anyone else was there.

Luckily for me, some of the others were there and they immediately sprang into action once they noticed the wolf behind my compadre.

They grabbed some weapons that they had brought with them, threw them to each other, and charged towards the wolf, which had now become four wolves.

I dashed into the tent and was met by the other women in there.

Before they could question why I was late or why I was breathing roughly, someone rammed into me and almost sent me tumbling to the ground. However, I steadied myself and whirled around to find the mystery man.