A Piece of Sky that Fell To Earth

There is a Native American legend about the beautiful stone of turquoise. It is said that Mother Earth bestowed “the sky stone” upon them as a blessing after praying for rain. They believed the stone to be a piece of sky that fell to the earth. Turquoise remains to be a sacred symbol of protection and good fortune; it’s also referred to by medicine men as “the stone of life.”

I once had the pleasure of visiting The Hopi Reservation in the state of Arizona. When we first arrived, I saw an elderly stoic woman sitting on a stool outside wearing the most beautiful turquoise jewelry I had ever seen. She was so still, with only her hair blowing in the wind — she looked like a painting come to life! Our guide explained that the Hopi were known as the peaceful ones of the Painted Desert. Ever since, I have admired turquoise in a whole new light and it conjures such a happy and poetic memory.

Gorgeous hues of green and blue
Adorn the wise lady of the Painted Desert
Bright and brilliant her scarlet skirt
Hair once black as a raven
Now wisps of silent silver
Though I know her not, she
radiates familiar
Stoic upon a stool shielded by her tribe’s sacred symbol