Deep Creek

Deep Creek (1974) ~ We discover a self-governing community living on the creek. They never wear clothes so they’re completely tan. The women are unshaven and look particularly fierce ..like Indians. Charlie, one of the elders, tells us they have a constitution. The springs are actually located on Indian Holy Land so the first article says to treat the land with respect. He’s wearing a bandana over his hear and looks like a benign version of Charles Bronson. The second article says respect the sovereignty of others ..don’t steal ..contribute in some way and you are welcome to stay. “As you can see ..” says Charlie “..not much is hidden ..we learn to live without ‘blind spots’ ..all sentient beings are welcome ..there are places for tents downstream; we don’t use them but the campers do ..we help them find proper sites ..warn them about snakes ..tell them where they can find water ..and in return; we don’t hesitate to ask them for whatever they can afford to offer in the way of food and medicine. Over there is the ‘Canyon of Refuge’ where people can practice solitude ..or hide if necessary.”

We burn our clothes .. pour olive oil over our body ..and lie in the hot springs ..sometimes until three in the morning ..watching stars as big as baseballs ..and listening to their discussions. My notions of beauty are forever altered. The girls at my high school now seem pretty plastic looking.

One day I watch Charlie help a group of teenagers find a place to camp ..he then asks them if they have any food or medications they can spare. They hand him a little orange pill. He balances it on his forefinger while they warn him not to take it all at once ..it’s a three-way dose. When they’re finished, Charlie looks at them kindly ..then pops it into his mouth all at once saying: “it can’t kill me.” They each take a step backwards. Later that day, I watch him walking up and down the creek with his bandana on ..eyes closed ..chanting a mantra ..and banging on a canteen like it was a tambourine.