Ghost Bead Necklace Poem by Bill Galvin

Ghost beads are dried juniper berries collected from the ground,
After they have dropped, and desert ants nibbled off one end,
And have eaten the inside of the berry.
The artisan sometimes lightly smokes
The dried and hollow seeds to further preserve them;
A needle is then used to make a hole at the other end.

The hard, dried, brown berries are then strung
In accordance with the harmony of nature.

I bought my double-length berry necklace quite a few years ago,
From an old Native woman at the rim of Canyon de Chelly,
Sitting on the ground, cross-legged, high sun, wide-brim hat,
Nestled at the edge of her fading, still colorful Navajo rug,
Surrounded by her tools, materials, beads and berries,
Fingers and hands constantly in motion, working on her art,
Looking up at the buyer only quickly, occasionally,
While explaining her craft, and taking berries from her mouth,
She said, to soften them, so as to more easily pierce the end.
Ghost beads represent connecting earth, trees, animals, humans;
And are said to bring peace, harmony, and protection.

I am not superstitious, nor religious in the usual way;
Not in need of readings, or views from any "other worlds".
But, I am open to see what there is to see, and all speaks to me.
And, I am spiritual…. Divine Nature contains my Temple;
I trust in my Inner Guide, a Godhead of many forms,
From whence Angels have been sent;
(One always sits upon my shoulder, another hovers nearby) .
To me every day is worship day; every place a site of worship;
Every person with a story worth listening to;
And it's a source of comfort to have Elements of this Earth,
Symbols of harmony, totems of spiritual significance,
Signs of peace and happiness, traveling with me.

The ghost beads, I happened to re-discover before this trip,
Along with a long, turquoise stone necklace,
Bought from a Native at the Santa Fe Plaza long ago.
They now hang together from the dashboard, accompanied by
A cylindrical memorial pendant with remains of my Loved One;
A long, silver smiley-face pendant given by a Dear Friend;
A Dharma Wheel necklace with a centered hematite stone;
A small turquoise-silver cross; and a silver symbol of Peace…
My lasting links with people and principles, past and present…
My spiritual traveling companions… a part of me, perpetually.

When the charm wears down, put them all in the ground with me.