oyate
…when you reflect on your life
what will you think of first? what
was the best thing you did?
: remember the songs, the inipi
wi-n wacipi songs we sang, how
happy you felt finally, home?
the third day of the third year
…he closed the door behind you
wrapped the Pendleton blanket
over your shoulders, sage tied
with strips of red cloth to the pipestem.
…you told us we had to be prepared to die,
which takes the fear away, which is true
: ties and flags; clouds wind sun/ moon
[sky] black, red, yellow white green blue…
tobacco, wakhalyape — steam, smoke
after finishing your commitment,
nothing impossible possible again
— the safest place in the world;
[earth] big hands & feet, eyes
laughing; the drum and tipi
dancing, the Red Road, thunder
…on winter mornings I still feel
the first one in my bones, & see
their faces in my dreams (as fire)
: drinking water from the gourd…
the buffalo skull, sweetgrass burns
on the glowing coals, the stones
cleanse and purify; then feasting —
never two the same… the willows
spirit plate, all related, me grateful
he called you Strong Singer ____
: it seems long ago [only yesterday]
brothers, 7 sisters — stars at night.