Notes About The Poem

This poem strips away the romanticized pageantry of war and traditional heroics, presenting instead a figure defined by quiet reverence and deep personal dignity. 

Crazy Horse

Born with hair of a lighter brown,
A gentle soul in his quiet town,
He walked alone where visions spoke,
Through heavy air and battle smoke.

No crown of gold or feathered crest, 
No tales of war upon his chest, 
Just one lone feather was in his hair, 
And lightning painted bright and bare.

Not born to rule with a chief's command,
He won the hearts of his own homeland,
From Rosebud's heat to Bighorn’s sound,
He guarded all he walked around.

He shared his meat, he fed the poor,
And kept the winter from the door,
A shelter for the weak and small,
He gave his heart to save them all.

When worn by hunger, cold, and tear,
He brought his people home from fear,
Yet freedom could not be contained—
A soldier's blade, a sudden stain.

He fell not broken by the foe,
With quiet courage, letting go,
A wild, free spirit, brave and deep,
Who gave his people space to sleep.

Now laid to rest where whispers keep, 
In secret ground he takes his sleep, 
Near Porcupine Butte's lonely height, 
Hidden safely within the prairie night.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Daniels Avatar
August 11, 2026 at 12:09 AM
A beautiful ballad, Christopher. It feels gentle like the warrior you are sketching. I enjoyed the rhymes and poem has a lovely stanza break illustrating story line. Well written. Congrats on placement in Contest. Sending Great Love., Ghairo
Haywood Avatar
August 11, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Thank you Ghairo. I very much appreciate the kind words.
Anaya Avatar
August 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
A finely done tribute to renowned Lakota legend, flow & rhyme & well told . I'd like to see The Crazy Hoese Memorial! Blessings 👍
Haywood Avatar
August 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Thank you. So, you know about Crazy Horse and his role in the Oglala Lakota tribe. His warring action was warranted and that's one reason I didn't include it. I wanted to write about the man himself. Most people today don't even know who he was. A legend that would have been a great president.
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