The origin Of the Winds. ( An Aleut legend)

Long, long ago when the earth was new,
no breeze was fluttered - no great winds blew.
The snow did fall, straight to the ground,
the marshland grass - would make no sound.

A couple, old - lived near the river,
new life withheld - by the sacred life giver,
He’d hopes of learning his sons a trade,
She’d hopes to teach the things she’d made.

One night a dream came- that must come true,
Igaluk - moon spirit - visited out the blue.
A sleigh - pulled by three dogs with no name,
black, brown and white, working dogs, not tame.

It halted suddenly - to a vast expanse,
ice in all directions, the eye might glance,
except for a solitary spindly tree,
that stood out in lonely individuality.

The wife awoke with such a start,
“Find the tree” she said, with insistent heart,
her husband though - was not convinced
but he loved his wife - so out he winced.

Into the snow and ice he travelled,
until a dream became unravelled,
there before him - stood the tree,
he chopped it down - heart full of glee.

At home he carved a boy from the wood,
a bowl and weapons, carefully as could,
a sealskin outfit - he was full of grace
and sat him upon the pride of place.

That night - some quiet whistles heard,
they awoke to find him breathing - (how absurd!)
He drank all the drink, ate up all the food
and hugged the couple - exchanging the mood.

When daylight came - the doll had gone!
He’d followed the path the light did come,
the very same path - the man had taken…
but the footsteps vanished - were they mistaken?

He ran fast to the edge of the world - as it spins,
where earth meets it’s end and the sky begins,
he found an East hole that was covered with skin,
cut the cords and welcomed what was held within.

In blew the warm wind - bringing animals and birds!
with the deepest of thoughts - he uttered these words
As he let out the wind he said - “Blow strong in the fall,
then sometimes as kisses - at other times - not at all”

He fastened the cords and ran on until sore,
till he came to the South hole, that in fact was a door.
He gave freedom to wind with it’s trees, bushes and more
and whispered the words he had uttered before.

On to the West, he scoured the ends of the earth,
another hole uncovered - about to be birthed.
This bought the ocean’s, it’s spray and the tides,
he let in - only a little - then fastened the hides.

He came to the last hole hidden deep to the North,
this wind was the strongest - but still he went forth!
Hesitated a little - because he felt such a chill!
The ice and the snowstorm blew in - then fell still.

With all the holes fastened, he ran fast to the centre,
the sky arched a tent - he’d reached life’s great placenta
Held up by four poles - slender just as should it be,
he returned to find friends, that now were his family.

He was greeted so warmly - adventures were told!
of how he was brave and was incredibly bold!
How he let the wind in and he’d travelled the world,
of the creatures and trees and the snow - all unfurled.

The villagers happy as the wind brought with care,
the oceans of fish and the birds in the air,
and land animals wondered the earth - to be caught,
Snow, rain and breeze - all weathers were taught!

Because…

Good fortune as moon spirit predicted - came true,
the doll figure was honoured in festivals new.
Shamans for magic used - as parents for child,
knowing they bring joy - and a whole load of smiles.

The doll the world over is a bringer of joy,
A replica human - that travelled the sky,
that let in the life and the winds, which we feel,
not just a toy… But a legend revealed.!