Went into the hills to meet the man of my dreams -
when you go out to the fringe you meet the extremes.
The night deepened and I heard the nightbirds calling.
The wind played in my hair and the stars were falling.
I turned into a bird but I could not see him
but between bones of what had been giant men
the snake of history unfolded in a path of broken glass.
Indian ghosts showed me visions of what had been
and what would be and I became and Indian then
and I danced and wept for all the brave who had died
for the honor and the love of the Great World Tribe.
They said come dance the white shirt dance like Hummingbird
and Lizard will dream full plains of buffalo herds.
Some people are afraid to go into the hills
they've become so accustomed to their plastic frills
and their boxed realities of television
show families and formulaic religion
Pacing like a lioness the ire rose in me
I will have Noman then and I turned to face the sea
Dawn then "World, you will be my lover now."
I spread my arms wide and let the sun lick my brow
and with all my senses I drew the world inside of me
When my lover comes I will feed him from my tree
for I did learn so much more for having waited
Now I can build a fire and my hair is braided
The stars are my brothers and the moon my sister
"It is amazing what will grow in a desert".
V. Vaughn-Perling ©
1990
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