My cultural heritage is one of linearity. Americans progress, move forward, dream of the future and its possibilities. Yet, this conceptualization of time is not shared by many cultures on earth.
Now, some westerners are reconsidering whether time is linear. Einstein demonstrated that space and time bend at certain velocities of light. Physicists document the structure of the universe as part of “parallel universes.” It might be possible one day to travel in a worm hole to other times, future or past.
In Threshold, Luna Lopez, a Tohono O’odham youth, is learning basket-making from an elder. She discovers the recurring pattern of a maze on her teacher’s baskets and queries what it means. Rather than tell her outright, Mrs. Romero tells an old Pima story. Luna is left to interpret it in her own life.
As the narrative unfolds, Luna recognizes circularity in things around her: seasons, natural history of trees and plants, and her own circulation system. She begins to intuit that the “man in the maze” is about her inner life.
Does time bend each September allowing us to return to it, to perhaps increase our understanding? If so, let us approach it with reverence.
Susan Feathers 
Referred by DancingEchoes via Facebook. Not sure why I haven’t been here before and followed you sooner. She has spoken highly of you, and often. And a fellow Tennessean no less!
Very interesting article. I like the sentiment, the different thinking.
Your picture reminded me of a song I’ve known by Bruck Cockburn. Because of this I had learned years ago the meaning of petroglyph. Here is a verse:
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“Huge orange flying boat rises off a lake
Thousand-year-old petroglyphs doing a double take
Pointing a finger at eternity
I’m sitting in the middle of this ecstasy”
-Bruce Cockburn
-song title “Wondering where the Lions Are”
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Mercy! That was deep, Susan, and I loved it.
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Nice! Makes me wonder…thanks!
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