As the river flows
with a mighty purpose
and cannot be stopped,
hindered, or held back,
so you, my child,
must live your life
with a mighty purpose,
with great resolve,
and with no regrets.
Let not the darkness
of the moonless night,
The cold winds of
the north lands,
nor the thunder clouds
of the far west,
keep you from achieving
your life's dreams.
As the river flows
swiftly over the cleft rock,
and rushes past the
steep hills of the forest;
and beneath the cold
ice of the winter;
never looking back
with regret at what
is left behind,
so let your eyes
always look forward
to tomorrow; and not
back to yesterday's
barriers, setbacks,
sorrows, and detours.
Let the full moon
and the stars of heaven
ever be your guide,
let the sun shine
warm upon your face,
let the rain quench
your burning thirst,
and eat only what
the good earth gives you;
nothing more, nothing less.
Always be a friend to
the wolf and the bear,
learn the wisdom of
the crow and the hawk,
And let your life
flow like the river
flows to the great sea;
and you, my child,
will always be at
home where ever
you make your bed.
Author notes
Written February 22nd, 2005
A contest entry
- Native American Poetry by CarolDesjarlais.
400 points, ended February 25, 2005, 3 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Good poem... enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the phrase "with no regrets". thumbs up
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The start of this lovely poem reminded me of Celine Dion's song The Prayer... And the end gives me a very mwarm feeling... Great poem here... Best of luck in the contest
and keep up the great work..
~ Lonely
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Thanks, Raven - certainly glad you liked this.
LeRoy -
You sound like the wise elder giving advice to a young brave.
I have always liked learning about the Native American tribes and their customs. A few glimpses I have taken into some of their cultures has been used loosely in novels, or scribbled in documentaries. However, you have captured the wisdom and spiritual side of those many peoples in this poem. This actually reminds me of part of a story that I read once...and come to think about it...I have the perfect background for this piece, although since you're not "preferred" it did me no good to mention that. Anyway, I wish you all the best of luck in the contest--but to me, this is a definite winner.
Many blessings,
Raven Aurora
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This poem, is so how I feel lately. My life is about to change, and I know I must move forward. Very good poem, takes me through many stages of life.
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But, yes, of course. I hope to enter some of my student's writing in the near future.
thank you for allowing me to do this. Their lives can be so "forested" they do not see there is a different hope outside. -
I hope you don't mind my editing my poem slightly after posting it in your contest. I changed "my son" to "my child" so it would include both sexes. Feel free to copy, paste, and print - as long as you give me the credit! I'm just tickled pink that you liked it.
LeRoy -
Excellent thoughts
Boy, would I ever like to have a copy of this to use with my Special Education High School students that I retrieve.
What good counsel.
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1 - 8 of 8
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