We Can Return! Grandmothers footsteps timeless echo's stories told by the fire,in the long and long ago wise ones kept the people safe. Daily walking in the right way saying prayers with every breath,learning lessons from all creation trees,flowers,rocks,animals,and birds. Building homes in a sacred circle ways taught by Creator in this way was protection,with each season ceremonies giving thanks as we should. Elders teaching all the children honored by all who heard them,caring for each other all around you was your kin. Visitors brought excitement new stories told from far away,traders,healers,shown respect each hold the magic of their clans. Uncles teach my children in the way of our kind,Aunties show the young girls the mysteries of woman's ways and our kinship to the moon. Leaders take their places show their wisdom in the giving,caring for their people keeping watch over all things in the village. Hunting,planting,fishing,storing,knowing the good plants from the bad,medicines or grass mats just living with our Mother Earth. Not so hard my people to return to our own ways,open your minds and remember share the ways of your ancients! granny!

I Tried!

No more I cried my soul is weary,no more of this fruitless journey,empty heart and spirit nothing left to give the children.
Head in hand and shoulders bowed,body trembling pushed beyond the mortal limits,all the world is closing in and spinning.
Empty,no music left,no sound of singing,no drum beat to bring the healing,no flute whispering to the four winds,no connection for my spirit.
Creator,lift me to a place of resting,Mother Earth enclose me,Father Sky wash me,where are the waters for my troubles?
Dawn this day brings no joy,the prayers are locked away,somewhere deep inside there is a screaming voice, I hear it.
Drained beyond all caring,reaching out to nothing,grey fog surrounds never rising from the ground,just the sticky web of life.
Where are the dreams of a new tomorrow,why this deepening sorrow,where has gone the laughter,will there be no healing?
There are no answers to the questions,no bringing together mankind,the differences are too great,they do not realize it is too late.
As I watch the world is dying,eyes are blind and will not see,ears are closed there is no pity,minds are closed to new ideas.
The Circle nears the ending,what once was will be again, sadness wells like tear drops,they were warned but would not hear it.
Darkness forms behind us,starlight glows above,Grandmother sun grows hotter,soon many will see the waters reclaim what is their own.
A shaking comes to wake us,mountains split and weeping,claiming lives within as their due,what was taken must be returned.
Will they listen,oh,no,though they watch it unfold,truth they will never accept,until disaster bites down,they dance on.
I choke on tears uncried,prayers stuck deep down inside,I feel my heart will explode,I can not reach them I tried, oh,grandmother how I tried!

Hard Life,Good Life!Quiet laughter fills the air as grandmother watches the childrenplay,the only toys are those home made cornshuck dolls and woodenhorses,cows and sheep.Rocks and stickes line dirt roads made with tiny hands,twigs fortrees build a forest a hole scooped out makes a pond for water hereimagination is in use.Day after day added to with lodges and cornfields,oh,lookgrandfather has carved some deer,such happy days spent in sunshinesmall brown faces glow with health and happiness.Hunting,fishing,working in the garden life is hard andtiring,young and old pitch in if the family is to eat,but grandmothermakes sure there is still time for play.Feed the chickens carry water see to the comfort of thehorses,the animals are cared for first it is on us theydepend,eggs,milk,and transportation they give to us in return.From before sunrise we are working time out for prayers of thanksgiving,a few more chores then comes school we are always greatful forthe summer.At home we are always learning,school to us is a place oftorture,no smiles then we are always sollom trying hard to get alonghoping today the teasing and taunting will not be so bad.Oh,sweet freedom of the summer the only fighting is with mybrothers,we may play pranks but would never truely hurt each other,tothe outside world we show a united front back to back we stand fast.Gather time is the best friends and cousins come to visit,a storyfire is built here is where we find true teaching forliving,loving,and giving,the true path of our ancestors and sacredceremony prayers.Tents pitched everywhere or roll in a blanket by the fire fallasleep beneath the stars,to the river before sunrise we must be cleanto greet Creator,grandmother smiles when she sees us.Wet heads of every size,age,and color,face the East inanticipation,spirits fill us with awe for Creator!granny!