The Gift… KEYWORDS: native american poem cherokee poetry native american poetry indian poem
Rain on the mountains,
Mist on the streams,
Of these things
The red man dreams.OF DEER AND BEAR AND RABBIT AND SQUIRREL,
THESE ARE THE WONDERS OF THE INDIAN WORLD.
TO HUNT TO FISH TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR,
TO GIVE TWICE WHAT YOU TAKE AND ALWAYS SHARE.
TO FOREVER RESPECT EACH LIVING THING,
TO GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT THE GREAT SPIRIT BRINGS.
TO HONOR THE FAMILY BOTH LIVING AND DEAD,
TO KEEP THE FIRE SO ALL WILL BE FED.
TO SPEAK ONLY GOOD WORDS EVERYDAY,
NEVER LETTING A WICKED TOUNGE FOIL THE WAY.
TO SEE LIFE THROUGH A RED MANS EYE.
IS TO SPEAK ONLY TRUTH AND NEVER LIE.
TOO KEEP YOUR HEART OPEN AND REMEMBER THIS ,
FOR IT IS THE INDIANS GREATEST GIFT.
Martha Moongazer Beard
JAN 8TH 2005