A RED INDIAN LEGEND: -
“THE DREAM CATCHER! ”
(I)
The continent of North America during those
ancient times,
Were inhabited by various Red Indian tribes.
The Delawares, the Mohawks, the Choctaws,
The Dacotahs, the Omahas, the Blackeet,
The Camanches, the Ojibways and the Apaches!
They inhabited the forest, the prairies, the marsh
lands,
The great lakes, the mountains and the fen-lands!
They lived close to nature and honored their Gods,
With the spirit of Nature all thing were fraught!
If we recall the story of MacKenna’s Gold,
The ‘Shaking Rock’ and ‘Canyon del Oro’;
Of human greed, - breeding death and sorrow!
Which in celluloid has often been told,
None could take away that Apache gold!
(II)
Today I narrate a legend of the Chippawa tribe,
Of their ‘magical net’ for a peaceful night!
An old medicine man of this tribe,
Wove a magical net with gossamer strings,
To catch the dreams as they float by!
He hung this net above the bed up high, -
To catch the dreams as they float by!
This wondrous net trapped all bad dreams,
Letting the good ones pass through its netted
seams!
And as the bad dreams got entangled in the net,
The good ones descended upon the sleeping bed!
So should you come across this magical net,
Never argue about its price, -
Just buy the one of your bed size!
Then hang the net high above your bed,
For there is nothing to be afraid!
Since dreams shall never ever cease,
Have sweet dreams always, with a good
night’s sleep!
-Raj Nandy
New Delhi
23 Nov 09
** Dedicated to our poet friend Ms Mamta Aggarwal!
I loved these stories about indians & dream catchers. Well written & enjoyable to read with great knowledge & insight given. Thanks for sharing. Gave it a 10. I have a dream catcher in my van as I tend to be a dreamer myself. lol Jeannie (Spiritsong)
Very lovely. The depth of your knowledge always amazes and delights me. I would love to catch some of those good dreams. Wonderful that you dedicated this piece to Mamta, one of poemhunter's treasures. Warm wishes, Sandra
Dream catchers living in Nature the Red Indians are indeed a fascinating group now have become minority in their own land!
Raj you continue to astound me with wide range of your interests. its such a charming legend. the reference to mcenna's gold reminds me of the movie. quiet a lesson there. I am touched that you have dedicated it to me. you are my friend, teacher, doc. after reading this charming legend, i am sure ill sleep well. 10+ thanks Mamta
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
fascinating write dream catchers 10