(IN THE)
THEN
& NOW
Then & Now
IN THE THEN.
I pledged my soul to the Great Creator,
Gave sweat to the Earth Mother,
What had been gifted
I gave unconstrained:
My essence
Enshrouded by ancestry.
FROM HOUR TO HOUR.
I paid homage to the luster of my God,
Stronger than the kindred buffalo,
Mightier than a masked warrior,
Swifter than the rattling snake,
The warrior bowed to honour,
He would not crawl to beg.
IN THE NOW.
I breathe my last on your reservation,
My soul cowers to the trickster,
What coyote has stolen
I cannot recover.
That I have lost,
Forever you destroyed.
I HOLD HOPE.
When the trees blossom in winter
Coal turns to gold in the ground.
When the eagle call echoes through mountains,
And the wolf howl sings on the breeze,
When the lakes turn to mist in the valleys,
Our land and people soar free.
MY FUTURE IS CLEAR.
I must draw to the Circle of Protection,
Sit as an equal, no sides to take or defend.
Once more the Talking Stones offer me counsel,
I listen for what their wisdom portends,
Chieftains, Clanmothers, Pretty Women and Warriors,
We dream with Elders for guidance from the generations.
STILL, I REAWAKEN IN YOUR AGE.
Watching amber shafts arc
Onto painted cliffs of Hollow Mesa,
I hope for peace with all the Creations.
But for NOW
Give me a veil,
That I may hide my shame.
(C) Copyright 2000
LOADSTAR
All Rights Reserved
