At the edge of tumbling water
in the valley of great trees
under shadow of the mountain
There we camped in six teepees

All the braves had gone hunting
everyone in a happy mood
I, a child, just sat wanting
Hoping soon to eat fresh food

Smell the smoke from fires burning
see it rise up in the air
See the women, pots they're stirring
I, a child, without a care

Now as sunset comes to greet us
Braves return from forest deep
Fresh killed game they carry with them
With full bellies tonight we'll sleep

Tears on cheeks my mother has
Weeping, mourning for our loss
My great father's spirit passed
I, a child, my toys I toss

He now hunts in happy lands
With his passing I grow stronger
providing food now in my hands
I, a child, am no longer
Warrior_Poet©

An Indian village deep in the forest
undisturbed by white man's ways
peace and harmony is all they knew
but those were our yesterdays.

A brand new sun breaks through the clouds
bob whites still echo their name
the forest and village are coming to life
wild creatures appear so tame.

Maidens readying their morning meal
braves returning with food in hand
hunting only what they need
to survive without spoiling the land.

As the day progresses excitement builds
children learn as they play their games
skills acquired along the way
help determine their warrior names.

Teepees full of chief and counsel
discussing problems that arise
sick ones seeking the medicine man
his concoctions make him so wise.

Together they work to prepare themselves
for the times that nature will bring
arrows and bows and hides for warmth
at dusk they will chant and sing.

Thanking spirits for the bounty received
young boys will test to be braves
and all of the tribe will learn to respect
their elders and spiritual graves.

Once upon a time there was a place
not spoiled as it is today
a shame that we didn't take the time
to follow the red man's way.
Daisy©

as the unspoiled wilderness
lay before them
the four Lakota braves
pondered their future with aplomb

beneath the tall pines
alongside the raging stream
fresh from the steam lodge
far from familiar plains, extreme

the day's hunt will soon begin
what will it bring, bear,
cougar, Utes or wayward Apache
they are eager to settle the affair

one more step to manhood
today is our debut
furs for clothing
leather for shoes

will the Gods shine on us
a scalp for our belts to sport?
we are the Lakota
the fiercest by last report

let the women tend the flock
the children frolic and fun
the old people rule and judge
we are warriors, our fathers sun
b.eniii©

To the fish in the stream,
it's a beautiful world
The sunshine refracts through
water that's swirled,
Over stones that for hundreds of years
have been washed,
Smooth by the melting snows
that have rushed,
Every Spring, just like this, to a stream
where our fish,
Contentedly finds all the beauty a fish
Comprehends--
But somewhere beyond
is a bigger picture...

To the maid in the village,
it's a beautiful place,
Cool morning air brings
a glow to her face,
Soft in the distance she hears
a bird sing,
And sees butterflies flit
on newly dried wings.
Sun glints iridescent
off the scales of the trout,
While she soaks up the beauty,
that she knows about,
And understands--
But somewhere beyond
is a bigger picture...

To us, we can see the beauty
hope brings,
The dawning of day,
the coming of Spring.
Finally these people are
safe and secure,
Snuggled among the oak,
pine, and fir.
All beauty is ours--
of fish, maid, and hope
Ours to enjoy for
we see the full scope,
--We think--
But somewhere beyond,
is a bigger picture...
Theo©

The calm and peace of a closing day
A place in time to live and pray

Nature was sacred it supplied their needs
Thanks was given in their daily deeds

It was a life of plenty if lived with care
By taking only their fair share

What ever happened to that beautiful past
They always thought that the bounty would last

Along came greed that ravaged the land
Taking and killing without reprimand

Is it my friends, too late to plead
To all the others; don't use greed

I wonder?
te_mpt_ed©

I am at one
With the sky and the water
At one with the mountain
At one with the trees.
The people around me
Are my people
The food in the pot, my food.
You may not
Live where I live
You may not be Native American,
But you have your place,
Your mountain,
The sky above your head
Is your sky,
The people, your people.
Are you at one
With your surroundings?
If not,
I ask, why not?
geoffb23©

The tribe settles within nature's womb
Her mountain peaks
Touched by an early autumn snow
She breathes---inhaling---the smell of burning pine
Made by the campfires
Nature's pure incense smoldering
The smell rich and inviting
She is pleased---exhaling---she creates a mild breeze
The sound of the slight wind
Is like a song
She sings it with lyrical charm
All of her inhabitants stop to listen
The aspen and fir trees
Their limbs sway to her soothing voice
The brook---babbles---in response
The fires, crackle in time
The red-hot flames flicker
They dance, and leap upward, trying to touch her source
The horses continue to graze
They munch off her green life giving carpet
Their ears pointed up intently, listening to her presence
Women cooking---chanting---quietly, reverently
Giving thanks and praise for her gifts and hospitality
The men inside the teepees, smoking their pipes
Worship her lovingly
Teaching the young of her bountiful resources
Which at all times---are to be respected
She is their giver, their mother, their provider
They are her children
Her gentleness carries in the wind,
Wrapping around their souls
Reassuring them that she will forever provide a home
Within her welcoming breast
C0ast©

gaze across the river
diverse in their lives
surviving with harmony
the ways of the tribe

autumn colors paint
a melodious sunset
lending a glow
striving to keep their heritage
for all surrounding to know

you can almost hear the tom toms
beat an old familiar tune
soon to smell the smoke of the fire
under the light of a full moon
MiNN©

From the mountains the spirits cry out,
through the trees ghostly voices seem near,
justifying determination without doubt
the battle for existence, ever clear.

A struggle forced upon them uninvited,
bringing sickness and famine and strife,
adjudication for suffering, unrequited
never known by those left behind.

A people to be lifted among all,
an example of honor and pride,
passed down to children of the Choctaw,
a torch to continue the fight.
blushin©

Can you remember?
A faded picture,
from so long ago
it becomes
Mythical! Mystical! Magical!
it become

Once Upon A Time...
When the land was younger, stronger;
industrial scars as yet unconceived.
"Mountains Purple Majesty!"
snow capped giants keeping a slumbering eye on the world.
A land of tall trees
of towering Pines, Sequoias and Redwoods.
Lush life grown to reach the skies!
Earth's lungs breathing easy,
offering shade from the mid-day sun.
Secrets of creation whispered to the leaves by the wind,
than repeated back to man
if he would, but listen...

To the song of the land,
it's lilting voice heard in every water way.
The alto of lakes and ponds, the tenor of streams and rivers,
the booming bass of the water falls.
Musical refrains drawing man close
a celebration of the Earth! Of life!
Cyclical,
with each ending as a new beginning.
Unspoilt,
some would say, nature in her youth.
Perhaps than but a babe?
Indigenous tribes attending to her needs.
Small lives in harmony with the greater one.
Seeking to keep the balance...

Can you see it again?
Those pictures in your head?
The stories of old
handed down throughout time,
told again and again?
Grown more vivid or pale
depending on the imagination.
Can you see it again?

that Once Upon A Time...
Rutile©

Dawn's cold stark stillness waking sleepy eyes.
Day's early smoulders torched with campfires bold.
Morning's mist blending into cloudy skies.
Buckskin clad maidens stir, moving from cold.
Anticipation tarries for their day.
What riches lay in their land's calling sound?
Native hills, valleys, streams filled with life's prey.
Braves hunting rations, wonder what's been found?
Survival in bounty, rich native land.
Awakenings, both performing each chore.
Capturing surroundings close at hand.
Abundant proportions, who could ask more?
Only what was needed did they dare take!
Watchful eyes heeding, no mistakes to make.
gigi©

The mountains reaching up high to sky
The flow of the air in a soft gentle breeze
Rippling of cool waters silently moving
The camp is filled with the sound of laughter and ease.

The old woman working on a new soft deer hide dress
Children's laughter off in the distance, they play
As young braves repair the teepees,
working hard through out the day.

Moccasins being sewn with a bone needle,
with intense care for some
Young braves are hunting with their archery
to bring fresh meat for drying for days to come.

Young Indian maids picking berries for pemmican
Some grounding corn for meal cakes
Furs drying in the warm sun
To be fashioned for blankets and coats.

Everyone is busy preparing for the winter
it is only fair.
Clouds whiten the sky
and the coldness chills the air.
Queen.Amethyst©

By sparkling waters of the plain
at foot of mountains wild
the peaceful village long has lain
it’s pulse still throbbed the old refrain
innocent as a child

The hunter hunts the daily meat
young maidens splash and sing
old squaws pick berries ripe and sweet
brown children playing at their feet
to olden ways they cling

The White Man came, the White Man took
whatever he could take
the warrior in his hatred shook
the death club and the drubbing hook
the war chant he did make

Their stone age culture had to fall
to win they had no chance
no magic could the Shaman call
of power White Man owned it all
the gun against the lance

The Red Man’s ways are lost in time
but still with honor stand
she hears the death knell softly chime
his race waits in the white man’s grime
and history’s shifting sands

His race recedes into the mist
as time turns out the light
the world he knew does not exist
by Father Time he’s been dismissed
to vanish in the night
Sir_Sun©

Heayyahh heayahhh, keetawah keetawah.
Heayaahhh Akidahhhh, keetawah keetawah.
Ooslaahh kahwahhh, Alliwah Alliwah.
Heayahhh Allahh, Akkiwah Akkiwah"

<dancing'round, dancing'round - blazin' fire, blazing fire>
<fires jump, burn hot - like soul's desire, soul's desire>
Heyaahh Heayahhh, Keetawah Keetawah
Keettahh Keettah, Yahhhteekwah Yahhhteekway.

<eagle spirit lifts wings- high and soar, high and soar>
<singing, winging- around so far, round so far>
<dance low, dance high - reaching east, reaching west>
<eagle wings, eagle eyes - lift our souls, pierce our chests>

<minds eyes, panting hearts - concentrate, concentricate>
<dance round, blazing fire - closed to sin, open in>
Heyaahh Heayahhh, Keetawah Keetawah
Kettahh Yawahhh, Alahhah Keetawah.

<dip, flap, dip, soar - we cry'n scream, cry and scream>
<eagles wild, soaring child - we smile and sing, tears we bring>
<drums pound deep sounds - they pound along, pound along>
TOM Tom, TOM Tom..<thunder's song><THUNDERSONG>

TOM Tom, TOM Tom <faster still, we merge our wills>
<energy deep, vibrations low - they turn to THRILL!><TURN TO THRILL!!!>
HEYAHHH HEYYAAHHHHHH - KEEEETAAWAAHHHHH AKEEETAAAAWAAHHHHHH!
HEYAHHH HEYYAHHHHHHH - KEEEETAAWAHHHHHH AKEETAAAAAAWAHHHHHH!

<whirling round, whirling round - we stomp earthground, stomp earthground>
<whirling round, whirling round - we stomp earthground, stomp earthground>
<whirling round, whirling round - all is sound, all is sound>
<whirling round, whirling round - our souls abound our souls abound>

<whirling round, whirling round - we stomp earthground, stomp earthground>
<whirling round, whirling round - we stomp earthground, stomp earthground>
<whirling round, whirling round - we leave the ground, leave the ground>
<whirling round, whirling round - we fly unbound, fly unbound>

<whirling round, whirling round - we stomp earthground, stomp earthground>
<fly unbound, fly unbound - without a sound, we've left the sound>
<fly unbound, fly unbound - we circle round, circle round>
<high sky, fly by - dip up'n down, our hearts abound>

<high light, bright night - we reach the stars, reach the stars>
<heavens winds, horses win - within life's sound, within life's sound>
<spirits dead, spirits live - we see the sky, see the sky>
<earths dot, moons spot - we soar in space, within God's grace>

<body's fall, fire withdraws - we all sleep, into teepees creep>
<silent night, spirit's flight - we dream of love, life's love above>
<deep and quiet, the fire's goodnight - returns to dust, returns to dust>
<long and deep we kiss our mates as eagles soar, eagles soar>

<make love, have sex - we deep down dip, deep down dear>
<long strokes, deep love - we merge in smiles, merge in tears>
<deep urges, huge surges - satisfied all, satisfied all>
<then snores & snore's s'more> <til morning calls, til morning calls>

<thus dance, american souls - on the earth, giving birth>
<thus live, the lives of us - from death to birth for all we're worth>
<thus do our familys live - with heaven's sigh, as we try>
<let not our eagles die - keep eyes on sky, minds so high>

<sleep well, sleep deep - with angels soar, as angels soar>
<wake early, do good - keep romance, as eagles dance>
<poems end and begin - so hear the song, sing the song>
<breath deep, breath pure - forevermore our souls endure>
Wes©
(The < > represents a translation from Indian to English)

an image that persists.
a memory from before I did exist.
a perception of the past
of lives less littered,
in a world less cluttered
filled with rhythms now unheard.
a song as clear as the babbling brooks,
a note as high as the snow capped peak,
a harmony old as time.
a lullaby whispered in the leaves,
a psalm sung among the reeds,
an aria is the eagle's cry.
daily life a celebration
of nature's wondrous dance;
the meaning of creation.
celestial refrains combine
with chants of simpler lives,
orchestrating time's passing.
a melody of life ensues
a blessing to those hearing
the ballad of the world.
the land sings hymns
of times gone by,
smiling . . . I sit and listen.
der_girlo©

The sounds of Mother earth are calling,
beckoning me to awake
Calling with wondrous excitement,
a beautiful song she does make
I hear the sound of water falling,
pounding against the ancient stone
So crystal clear and pure it is,
rushing by, outside my home
The scents of Mother earth are calling,
wood smoke permeates the air
Happily, my day is beginning,
as if without a care
Kat Alina©

On the mighty banks we met when first they had arrived
And without our help they might not have ever survived
And for our acts of kindness so the white man could live
Countless bits of understanding and wisdom did they give
Words were added to our vocabulary for things they taught
Like murderer, thief, cheater and too late the word bought
For you could not own what could not be held in your hand
So we laughed when they offered us treasure for the land
That was as foolish as owning the sky, water, or the wind
Never would we have excepted if we knew what they did intend
Not only were we driven from our homes to live on reservations
But they were placed in the worst of all possible locations
Robbed of our lifestyle, our history and religious beliefs
Is there any wonder why the Indian nation still grieves
Bear1Mage©

The sun shines down upon our camp
Like a well-placed solar lamp
Warming the earth beneath my feet
Caressing my skin with its radiant heat
As I ready my horse for our morning scout
For it is my duty to look about
And warn my people of dangers near
Though we hope to rest safely here
As we journey back to our home
On the flatlands where buffalo roam
Our chief and shaman await us there
For news of how we did fare
On this mission they assigned to us
To bring back from self-imposed exodus
A woman both far-seeing and wise
In all but her own self-blinded eyes
For there occurred a sad event
That even forewarning could not prevent
Yet she blamed herself for her friend's demise
Turned her back and closed her eyes
And ran to hide among the trees
Hoping her feelings she could freeze
For she is young and has not yet learned
That through experience is wisdom earned
So we braves were sent to bring her home
To the flatlands where buffalo roam
Where the shaman will teach her true
Just what it is she was meant to do
Shadow Whysper©

Mountains make my home a beauty
A river runs freely through my heart
Nature embraces me with a living peace
My comfort knows no ending or start

Even with all the beauty of this place
Its appearance isn't what holds my happiness
The sun rising and setting in all its splendor
Will never be what's special in this

I think it's the love that God put into his creation
How he molded it to fit his hand
So I could stand in awe each morning
And live to love the land
HeartsCry©

Upon the mountain's face I see his grave
Gilded gold by the dying sun
The only monument for the nameless Brave
Who died in battles lost or won;
Obscured by time, but never gone.
I see the trust in what White Fathers said
Understand the moments of appease,
Yet your children die or are already dead
By powdered ball and strange disease.
Now, only history will know his name,
Will know the fierceness of this dreaded foe,
His virtues, civic claims to fame;
Will know his pains against a darker woe.
All fallen dead will tell you so.
I hear his lonely chants, his wailing song,
Hear the rhythm of a hollow drum,
Whisked by the wind, mourning on and on,
With the streams that from the mountain run,
Flow our deeds of past we learned to shun.
Where once fires in a hundred lodges burned
To sooth the pains of this nameless Brave,
Now lie stones unturned....
To be placed upon his future graves.
For you, this dying sun shall rise again.
Zeph©

Long ago goddesses of rocks, clay, and minerals,
lived the Huruing Wuhti in the ocean; one to the east and one to the west.
Hopi kivas as their houses, the eastern Wuhti had two fox skins, one gray,
and one yellow tied to the house's ladder at best.

While in the west, the kiva had a turtle-shell rattle tied to it's ladder
by the western Wuhti.
Then along came the sun dressed in the skin of the gray fox,
creating the white dawn of the hopi.

After some time, the sun took off the gray skin for the yellow,
making bright the sky, the yellow dawn of the hopi.
Then across the sky he went arriving at the kiva in the west,
of the western Huruing Wuhti.

His presence was felt when he tied the rattle on the ladder's top beam.
He left again entering the kiva to the north and continued eastward
under the sea.

The two goddesses made the oceans recede eastward and westward
creating dry land.
But the sun noticed nothing living underneath him at hand!

He talked to the goddesses about this;
so the eastern Wuhti met the other deity by rainbow bridge.
They discussed and decided a bird was to be made;
a wren of clay, covered with mochapu, native cloth as thick as skin.

As they sang a melody a live bird flew,
but the goddesses realized the sun did not pass to the north and south;
so the bird then soared all over the earth looking for life-
but gave up no doubt!

The little wren forgot about a kiva to the southwest;
this is where Kohkang Wuhti, the Spider Woman,
had ner nest.

The western Wuhti made more birds and both Huruing Wuhtis sang again;
to scatter the world with every kind of bird making sounds not like the wren!

Then along came the animals by the western goddess;
she created them as unique to their own ways of living and native undress.

But it wasn't until the two Huruing Wuhtis decided on creating man;
that this might make their kivas in the ocean filled in between the sun's dry land.

The eastern Wuhti carved out of clay, a white man and woman;
together she brought them to life and thus created humans.

The deity fashioned two tablets out of stone,
to give to the man and woman.
They did not understand the meaning of the tablets,
so the deity rubbed them to their hands.

Language arose to the two and the goddess took them over rainbow bridge
to the east.
They stayed four days, then looked for a place to live,
making a house like the hopis.

The Huruing Wuhtis were not done yet,
and when the Spider Woman heard of their doing,
she started making her own man.

She taught them spanish and gave them burros,
and they settled in the southwest by her kiva.
She created more humans in the same manner,
just different dialects each pair received.

But troubled brewed as she forgot to create a woman for a certain man.
Thus that's why single men are around today in the land.

Then she forgot to make a man for a certain woman;
and told her to go searching for that single man.
"Oh my!" Kohkang said, "Somewhere there is a single man who went away.
Find him and if he accepts you, live with him today. If he doesn't, both of
you will have to stay single. Do the best you can."

The two came together as he built them a home,
but the woman and the man quarreled and she wanted to live all alone.

The woman said she could cook,
but the man wanted to stay together,
as he could hunt and look for wood.

So they made up...
but it did not last;
they fought and came together always-
just like husbands and wives of today.

Rough and ill-mannered people Kohkang made,
so the Huruing Wuhtis had a plan;
to create good people together...
to not be alone in their land.

But Spider Woman's creations were nomadic in life,
making trouble with the Huruing Wuhtis' tribes.

So the goddess of the west went with the eastern goddess
to the middle of the ocean to live,
leaving their people behind but offering them gifts.

They said if you pray to us with a deposit in the village square,
you will remember us...not by our kivas,
but as hope in your hopi prayers.

[Based on story reported in 1905 by H.R. Voth/Hopi]

[Kiva \ke-va\ n [Hopi]: a Pueblo Indian ceremonial structure
that is usually round and partly underground]
Nimbusman/Bright Light Muse©

There was a place
So long ago
Where the children played
Beside the running water
Seeing their reflections
As the water flows by

Their Mothers did their daily chores
Cooking over the crackling fire
Washing in the sparkling water
Preparing the days foods
Clean the skins for tanning
Fixing and making new clothes

Their Fathers guarding and hunting
Watching for their enemies
Finding the meats for everyone
As the women cooked for the village
The men came together
To talk of the past and future

All together the Fathers, Mothers and Children
working and playing together
Tending, feeding and playing
In this gentle river valley
The majestic mountain overlooking
In the cradle of the Old ones

Time has passed by
The old ways gone to one side
Scattered across the land
Seldom meeting in the places
That was their way of life
Once ... There was a place
Queen.Moon.Infinity©

Listen to the wind, Children
Feel its mighty presence
Blowing from the East
An ill omen
Breathe the air and
Smell upon it fear and death
Our people will no more be strong and free as
Our brother the buffalo
Our sons will inhale this white death
Our daughters will know this fear
Our Mother, the Earth, will cry tears
As this mighty wind from the East
Pierces her like an arrow
Destroying her nurturing soul
Listen to the wind, Children
Listen to the wind
It comes for us soon
_Romantic-at-heart_©

Live in harmony with your world
Accept graciously what is given to you
Appreciate all the great spirit bestows
All of your needs are provided for

Feel the heartbeat of the earth
Breath the freshness of the air
Taste the pleasant aroma of the forest
Hear the voice of the wild life
See the majesty of the mountains

They provide food clothes and shelter
A place of peace and serenity
To live and die happy
In harmony with your world
Riverrun©
...........................................................................................................................