Irish Man, Cherokee Woman

An old legend burning
through the bloodlines,

engraving its brand
upon generations.

Shaman's daughter is the rumor—
the most powerful of the era.

The Irish man and the Indian;
they met in Georgia.

He saw her first;
she saw him.

A match was made
between two worlds.

The Christian and the Heathen,
carrying through their children

the strong genes of Cherokees
overpowering Christian veins,

leaving behind old
Indian ways—or so it seemed.

Each generation her blood
flows through a special few—

the one or two who
have the gift she gave.

To see the spirits dancing—
round the sacred graves.

"Snowy Roofs" Water Color Painting by Janet Butler