Crazy Horse's Naming Vision

Crazy Horse's Naming Vision by Michael R. Burch Earthbound, and yet I now fly through these clouds that are aimlessly drifting... so high that no sound echoing by below where the mountains are lifting the sky can be heard. Like a bird, but not meek, like a hawk from a distance regarding its prey, I will shriek, not a word, but a screech, and my terrible clamor will turn them to clay? the sheep, the earthbound. Published by American Indian Pride and Boston Poetry Magazine Tashunka Witko, a Lakota Sioux better known as Crazy Horse, had a vision of a red-tailed hawk and a crazily dancing and floating spirit horse at Sylvan Lake, South Dakota. In his vision he saw himself riding a shadow horse through a storm, as the hawk flew above him, shrieking. When he awoke, a red-tailed hawk was perched near his horse. Keywords/Tags: Crazy Horse, Lakota, Sioux, Native American, Translation, Indian, Vision, Visionary, Quest, Hawk, Eagle, Bird, Spirit, Horse, Shadow, Storm, Violence, War, Warrior, Warpath, Spiritual, Curly (his nickname before the vision) What is life? The flash of a firefly. The breath of the winter buffalo. The shadow scooting across the grass that vanishes with sunset. -Blackfoot saying, translation by Michael R. Burch Dream Song of the Thunders Chippewa saying translation by Michael R. Burch Sometimes I bemoan my “plight” when all the while the wind bears me across the immense sky. Cherokee Travelers' Blessing I translation by Michael R. Burch I will extract the thorns from your feet. Yet a little longer we will walk life's sunlit paths together. I will love you like my own brother, my own blood. When you are disconsolate, I will wipe the tears from your eyes. And when you are too sad to live, I will put your aching heart to rest. Cherokee Travelers' Blessing II translation by Michael R. Burch Happily may you walk in the paths of the Rainbow. Oh!, and may it always be beautiful before you, beautiful behind you, beautiful below you, beautiful above you, and beautiful all around you where in Perfection beauty is finished. Cherokee Travelers' Blessing III translation by Michael R. Burch May Heaven’s warmest winds blow gently there, where you reside, and may the Great Spirit bless all those you love, this side of the farthest tide. And when you go, whether the journey is fast or slow, may your moccasins leave many cunning footprints in the snow. And when you look over your shoulder, may you always find the Rainbow.