Snow Leopard Woman

'How do you even EXIST, Granny?'
the little one asks,
eyes sparkling in the firelight.

'I've heard stories that the
Mother of the Snow Leopard People
watches us all from her
high mountains to the West

And that you know Her.
But maybe the grown ups are silly?'

The child's innocence is sweet.

~There are no Tame Beasts,
Small One, ~

The elder smiles,
her few good teeth gleaming,
two in particular a bit too brightly.

~But, yes,
I Know Her.  We have much in common,
She and I.

Our eyes, for one - green to hazel,
or any other color depending on the mood.

The way we place our feet to earth,
for another.

The way we Pay Attention,
and Trust our Knowing,
Striking only when the Kill is as
Guaranteed as Possible -

the way this ensures our Kits
are fed and warm and safe. . .

Yes,
I Know Her.~

The elder drowzes slightly,
the child watches,
eyes slightly unfocused;
meditating,
just as Granny taught her

Monitoring her environment
with neither expectation
nor desire,
judging none of the rushing thoughts,
just waving them on their way . . .

the little one sighs
fully FEELING the tactile joy
of the firelight caressing her skin
at this comfortable distance

A movement around her Grandmother
Jolts her notice over;

Snow Leopard Woman
a shining grey white mottled pattern on her skin
stretches to her full 3 meter height
her legs rooted in Granny's

Luxuriating in her bodilessness,
the Lady stretches catlike,
or like smoke dancing in a lazy breeze
and changes shape
and there

behind the sleeping elder,
a snow leopard forms,
full-bodied,
visible,
palpable.

The Mother of the Snow Leopard People
nods at the child,
and walks away.

The grown ups commented that Granny's
departure during her sleep
was a blessing for her.

She was no longer in pain.
No longer tired
(some suggested she was no longer a drain . . .)

But the child Knew.

And never forgot to put aside the best of the meat
every day
on the large stone
half way up the mountain

and to say
'Thank you, Granny.
I miss you.'

while pouring out some hot
butter tea and some of the
wine the strangers brought
to trade.

The adults feel she is Odd.

But they come to her when they cannot solve their
problems
for themselves.

Just as they did
with Granny
years before.