Walking to Paradise

For several years I lived in Hot Springs, AR. Its about 40,000 folks and is the only town in the country inside a National Forrest. Nothing really stands out. Tourists come to visit beautiful old bathouses. There are a few small festivals.
There are also indigenous folk in the area. First settlers. I have spoken to several. Each told me about what they were told in stories of old, stories of Manataka, Place of Peace.
Groups of peoples would come to the valley in peace to discuss the world and share their lives. No fighting, no counting coup. There were tales of the coups of course.
The great circle around the valley, the mentioning of other gathering places of First Peoples. This piece is about coming to Paradise before bathhouses and jazz concerts.

Walking to Paradise
From East, North, South, WestThey came, Walking to Paradise.
Men, women, children All came, Walking to Paradise.
From fifty miles, five hundred miles, five thousand milesThey came, Walking to Paradise: Manataka.
Warriors, Elders, Shamans and ChiefsCame walking, Walking to Paradise.
Seeking Manataka, Place of Peace, In the Valley of the VaporsThey all came, Walking to Paradise.
From hundreds of groups, large and smallThey all came, Walking to Paradise: Manataka.
Seeing sights too wondrous to describe,Original people came, Walking to Paradise.
From dozens of miles they could see the signs.No need for hurry, Walking to Paradise.
Happy to journey, glad to arrive.Living their lives, Walking to Paradise: Manataka.
Billowing clouds from ground to the sky,Beautiful on the way, Walking to Paradise.
Rainbows, large, Rainbows small,Closer and closer, Walking to Paradise.
Misty ground, Sacred groundClouds on land, Walking to Paradise: Manataka.
Valley huge, ringed all round,Chiefs in tune, sitting the Great Circle around Paradise.
Middle of Seven. Three to the North.Three to the South. Middle of Paradise: Manataka
Heaven, Fire, Wind, Water, Rainbows, LoveMother Earth’s bounty here in Manataka.
Walk softly now. Speak truth. Dream again.Respect, Respect, Respect Paradise: Manataka may return.

Copyright 2007 by Robin Hall