Legend of the
Ceiba Tree
Here, beneath this sacred tree, Old men told how moon and sun, Earth and sky, and wide-spread sea, Lay before the Mighty One.
High He stood, where rivers run, Pausing, here His work was done!
Waves, soft murm'ring, beat the strand, Gentle
breezes sighed above. Still no life was in the land, No sweet birds sang songs of love.
O'er the plain and through the grove, Nothing then was seen to move. Then his seat, "Komaka,"
There-- Wondrous tree!--He caused to grow.
'Midst the clouds its branches were,
Earth and sea lay far below. Sacred trees we this day know; None such vast dimensions show.
From that bright-green throne, His hand Scattered twigs and
bark around.
Some in air, and some on land; Some the sparkling waters found.
Soon He saw with life abound Water, air, and solid ground!
Those which fell upon the stream
Found a pleasant shelter there;
Shining fishes dart and gleam
Where those woody fragments were;
Others sported through the air,
Bright with wings and feathers fair.
Moving, too, on solid ground, Or the river's marshy strand, Beasts and reptiles
then were found, Spreading thence to fill the land.
Men and women upright stand,
Raised by their great Maker's hand.
Wild fruits first were human food; Water
man's sole drink, they say.
No bold hunters roamed the wood; None would then
take life away; Beasts and birds would sport and play With young children day by
day.
