His Wisdom Poem by Connie Wine

The old man's face is full of wrinkles
his eyes are as black as coal
his long braids are all gray now
you can tell this life has taken its toll

Sit close to his side and listen
listen to the stories he can tell
of his life as a young man
a warrior and a shaman as well

At one time, my child, long ago
this land was ours on which to roam
we hunted, fought brave battles
and loved on this place we called home

We respected Mother Earth
for it was she who took care of us
our brothers, the deer nourished our bodies
and the wind our skin did caress

We gave thanks to all living creatures
and even to the trees and stones
we heard the whisper of the wind
and we prayed over our ancestor's bones

The old ways were taken from us
by the white man when he came
we were forced to live in one spot
and we even had to take a new name

But if our young will listen and learn
take the old ways back to heart
we will rise again on this great earth
and we will have a brand new start

As I listened to the old man that day
with his wrinkles, gray hair and eyes of coal
I felt my spirit come to life again
for in this start I will have a great role


spiritraven (Connie Wine) 09/29/09