The hunt, the chase, the kill

recorded for all time on the

stone wall before us.

Over the cliffs the beasts flew

through the air, by the hundreds

to die on rocks below, so the

story on the cave wall reveals.

Even now, one thousand years

since fatal flight to the rocks

at the waters edge, the thunder

can be heard, bodies sacrificed

for survival , death for life.

Spirits blessed the winter again.

Then ritual cleansing, bathed in

sacred waters , and fire-light dances

with the shaman who paints the spirit

story there for us, for all, to feel.

William Davis, April 99