Homecoming(Al Osorio) One Feather of the Bear clan scraped fur from the jackrabbit, a welcome addition to the pine nut stew his family would be eating. Bellies full, they would sleep well. They would need their strength tomorrow.

The council of elders would meet that night, to send words of gratitude to the night sky, then to invoke blessings of the small shells of the water animals the Only God provided for their nourishment. These blessed shells would be distributed to all the families of all the clans, to protect them as they moved southward along the coastline.

In the quiet time before the sun began its journey across the sky, One Feather arose to enjoy the beauty of their home a final time. Moving his head slowly, he took in the panoramic view, beginning with an enormous rock shaped like the skull of a deer and ending with steep cliffs. Pine cone trees filled the space between the two landmarks. As if reacting to music only he heard, he nodded his head and lightly tapped his forefingers together. Then he gazed skyward and thanked the Only God for the beauty of this moment.

The afternoon sun blazed down upon the wayfaring clans. One Feather sought out his youngest daughter, a playful child her family called Grasshopper. Grasshopper’s playful nature was not in evidence, it was hot and she had grown tired. Taking her hand, One Feather expressed his pride in her strength. He told her that beauty awaited her. Looking up at him, their eyes met and both smiled.





Descending the steps of the city bus, Triana Pluma hopped onto the pavement and weaved thru the varied pace of the sidewalk traffic. Triana counted himself fortunate that his cousin recommended him as his replacement. Working as a landscaper suited him; digging his hands into soil as he planted flowers and trimmed trees and bushes had always brought him a sense of peace. Setting foot upon the grounds of the large hotel, he felt an odd feeling. It was as if he had returned to a place he’d been before. He felt as if he’d come home.

Triana ate his lunch at a spot the hotel’s owner called the overlook. Marveling at the breathtaking view, his gaze took in an enormous rock shaped like an animals skull, turning to admire the steep cliffs on the other side of the inlet and then dwelling upon the pine trees in the middle, their sweeping branches complementing the dual monuments to the artistry of nature. Triana Pluma nodded his head and lightly tapped his forefingers together, affected by ethereal music only he could hear. He then directed his gaze skyward, thanking the Blessed Virgin for the beauty of the moment.

Arriving at home that evening, Triana Pluma sat on the couch next to his youngest daughter, a quiet child the family called Chapulin. He told his daughter of his pride in her. He told her that beauty awaited her. Leaning against her father’s shoulder, Chapulin looked up at him. Their eyes met, and both smiled.

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