the cliffs are home

The turtle doves cooed, woke her up, and interrupted her dream. She waited a moment, wondering if she could just go back and finish the dream, but it was gone. She sat up, stretched, then got up, took the water jug, and climbed out the hole into the morning.

The cliff homes were all she had ever known and she loved them. They were warm in cool weather, and cool in warm weather. The birds made mud nests overhead, food was gathered and kept in caves in the back wall, and it gave much pleasure to be able to look out and see far from so high. Sometimes she thought it would be good to have wings and fly above while the sun was born.

Several of the others were already up, getting water and starting fires, so she made her way quietly down the ladder to the first floor, then climbed down to the ground. It was lighter now and she could see as well as hear the ravens and wrens as they chirped and called to each other. The wind shushed gently through the trees, and the water in the stream tumbled down and around the rocks as it moved along its way.

Taking a moment first to wash her face and hands, she filled the water jug and made her way back to her room. Soon rice was sizzling and after she added an egg, her meager breakfast was ready. She had picked a few berries yesterday and enjoyed them with her egg-rice patty today. Then, after a minute of clean-up, she sat before her loom and reviewed her work. The blanket was turning out nicely and would look good with a flower added to the side.

She worked steadily for a number of hours, then went back down the ladders and to the stream to fill her water jug again. The men were working the corn and cotton, and a couple of women were gathering stems for baskets and clay for pots.

“Hello, Maiya,” she said. “How is your baby?”

“She is very happy, Ruoto. How is your weaving coming?”

“It is good and will please the chief,” she said. “Maybe he will decide to give me a husband.”

“Yes, Ruoto, it is time. I don’t know why he hasn’t taken care of you yet,” said Maiya. “I wonder if he will look toward Huoleyo or Nikulu. Do you have a preference?”

“Oh Maiya, it is not for me to think of such things. I will be happy with whichever decision he makes. Both are good men and I think would be good to live with.” Ruoto smiled and turned away, heading back for the ladder.

She would come down again, after weaving for several hours, to look for berries and roots to add to her evening meal. After her meal, she would talk with some of the other women until it began to get dark, then she would return to her room, think quiet thoughts, and go to bed.