Six Feathers and Missing Feathers

Missing Six feathers

Author James Ray “The Phantom Texter”

Originally written November 2019

I was told not long after I was born that upon my first crawling I made my way to my father's chamber. I stole from his ceremonial headdress, six feathers. So that is what they named me, Six feathers.

Decades later I grew strong with the other warriors of the tribe. Upon a successful raid of our neighbors, one of the captured women was found to be unstable. They treated her badly even among the other survivors of her village. They called her, Missing feathers.

Warring between the tribes was natural, it was the way. But I had no will to be cruel. I protected Missing feathers for that is my way. From that day on she seemed to be more focused when ever we we're together. In time my village took to calling me her missing feathers.

How long has it been now? How many sunsets have we shared together? She sleeps now and even now I can tell the trouble of her mind. I know her. I know her mind. Through the many years now accepted by The village, my mate, my Missing feathers.

She will wake any minute now, as she has done many times before. And the unrest behind her eyes will fade to the background as it always does upon seeing me. And I will once again be for her the feathers that make her whole.

The joke unknown by the villagers is that I didn't take enough feathers from my father's headdress years ago. She was the feathers that I needed. The wisdom that I did not have. The strength to unite all the neighboring tribes. To end the ceaseless raiding and taking of prisoners. Now our children boys and girls grow strong in the united tribes! And none know but me to give thanks to my Missing feathers.

But uncertain is our time together. For I have noticed some of the spirits that plague her lead her out away from me. How much longer do we have? How much longer before she wakes without it being her behind her eyes? What will I do then when I am truly missing my feathers?

The Medicine Woman and the Elders of the village make no promises to me. They can do nothing to exercise her demons. They say it is only I who have held them at bay all these years. The great spirits have gifted me. But our time together. I do not seek to waste any moments that I have left.

I am transfixed by her sleeping beauty. I am broken-hearted by her restless slumber. I am guardian to the feathers which I cannot keep. She stirs. So slowly her eyes open. Who shall greet me this day?

Husband? Why do you greet me this way every morning? Why do you look so troubled? Have I done something?

No, my beloved feathers. I just worried that I would have to start my day without you. I have but only the six feathers I need you for the rest.

Such silliness from one who is Chief. But yes, if you give me your six. I will give you all that you are missing.

I hug her and in our embrace I thank the great spirit for giving me one more day with my Missing feathers...

~~~~~

I may never get to tell the story behind this story. Because I know I'll never finish it. I seem to be missing my feathers....

Missing Six Feathers: Missing parts

by James Ray the Phantom texter

Missing Six Feathers was originally written back in 2019. Then later done again as a YouTube video. It's easy to see that is narrated by the Chief Six Feathers, as he recounts the story of his beloved mate. And the secret burden of the curse he knew he would have to suffer.

But the story is pinned by me. Who in my own way is a Chief and in that self-same way also had a mate missing feathers.

Every world and every reality has a story. All too often the less than noble stories don't get told. I am the Nexus. I will tell those stories. Through the pain, through the anguish, I will tell those stories. Because I to am one of the Forgotten stories. Yearning to be told. To be heard. To be remembered.

As I interjected at the end of the Chiefs story last time, so to I pen his next instance.

Missing wind of feathers

by James Ray the Phantom Texter

What I had set in motion in the unified tribes now perseveres without me. But yet stands respectful outside my home. While I the progenitor sit peasant and pauper to my surroundings. Broken more than any bone has ever been broken.

It has been 10 years since I lost. No matter how hard I look, my feathers are missing. It was not a surprise. Although it was a shock. To know a thing cannot be kept does not remove the pain of its loss. It has been 10 years. Where might she be? How might she be? Why can't I move forward?

As her grandmother in her time. My feathers just wandered off. As though called to another place. And the physical shell that housed her essence is now housed by the demons and gone from me.

For a time I shoved my purpose into my duty as Chief. My demons curse me with every waking sunrise by the site of her missing by my side. So I no longer sleep. To not know the pain of waking. 10 years. If she is truly gone why can't I move forward? No Shaman can dispel this. It is a fever of the mind. It is the unresolved ghost. It is the phantom limb of a long gone strong right arm.

Did the Great Father only mean for me to have that time with her and never a forever? 10 years? Why won't he move me forward? What am I left to see? My counsel spoke of, she's not yours it's just your turn. It would seem that was true. But 10 years, why can't I move forward?

I chose my Council well. Even now in my absence they sign the treaties, they preserve the Tribe. And they do it without the Chief. Should I then to, take the walk that my Missing Feathers took? Should I try to travel the path that the demons took her physical show? Should I let the Great Father take me beyond and find where he's spirited her essence away too?

No, I suppose not. She travels her path. Just as I too must find mine. But after 10 years is six feathers truly enough to walk it? .....