death

where will death find you
where will you be?
immersed in sorrow
struggling to be free?

will you know the joy
of the rainbow's end
or have you spent forever
in your world of pretend?

in the shadow of love
never feeling the warmth?
just the cold insincerity
of deceit in heart

will you know the soft touch
of an angel's wing
the exquisite blush
of a morning's rose?

will you be in the sands
of a foreign place
with not enough armor
as your mother weeps

will the high places
and the riches of life
your soul erode
as you govern the masses?

that first gentle kiss
still on your lips
the contentment of knowing
for that brief moment

curled up in your comforter
in deep reverie
or out on the prairie
in your search of Free

whether you go with a scream
erupting deep in your soul
from anguish of undone
or unknown

or you step over lightly
deep smile on your face
wishes fulfilled
with grace

I wish you the knowledge
of a next step
on your Path
and Peace


Mourning Dove Caller ©2005




*************

Tecumseh's Death Song

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and
Demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,
Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and
Its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
Even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and
Bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and
For the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks,
The fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing,
For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts
Are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes
They weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again
In a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

Tecumseh

That was beautiful, Shawnee. Do you write songs? I play in a band and we're always looking for material, especially stuff that concerns real life and saving the world. You have a great outlook for someone who knows how the establishment has treated her people.

thank you, dj....some would say I am cynical, I just think it is being a realist

do you have some links to your music in the other gallery? Would love to hear your band

take care

Loved that poem. My favorite Tecumseh quote...........

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

____ Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation

Shawnee:

Is that Tecumseh or is that you channeling Tecumseh? Either way it's beautiful (and I wish more people could embrace it)!

Tecumseh's Death song is from Tecumseh directly

the other words are mine, it's a family thing

*sigh* I now officially suffer from ethnic jealousy