“Cycles and Seasons”

By Toni Truesdale

The recurrence of the seasons continue to encircle our lives,

Just as it gave celebrations to our ancestors.

Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice,

Fall Equinox, and Winter Solstice

Mark those passages in a yearly cycle all over the world.

We have learned to plant food and medicines

According to the agricultural calendar.

We dance in a circle to celebrate the planting,

Harvest, and the storing of food.

Buildings, monuments, and spiritual spaces have been built

To align with the celestial movements that determine

The four seasons at the point of each transition.

“Harvest”

Fall Equinox

Corn to the Americas is a sacred staple,

Native farmers cultivated over 500 varieties before 1492.

Tomatoes, beans, potatoes,

Chocolate, chili, squash, peppers

Avocado, vanilla, cashews, blueberries..

Are just a few foods from  indigenous gardens.

Foods of the Americas feed the world.

T. Truesdale copyright 2005