Native American Poems | Examples of Native American Poetry

fish swimming upstream spawning dreams of renewed life ~ cries of joyfulness (April Full Moon – coastal Tribes) ...

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May the healing mother give your heart peace May the forgiving father watch over you as you sleep May your spirit animal, the deer, issue you much needed comfort May your totem, the turtle, show you the way to health May your sweat lodge sisters pray that your cancer dissipates May your family dream of better times and ways to...

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metamorphosis black-headed beetle larvae ~ willful wings unfurl (March Full Moon – Naudowessie (Dakota) ...

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I ran across a prayer to the Earth written many years ago by the Lakota Sioux and mixing my words in with theirs… I’d like to share this prayer with you: Oh Great Spirit..whose voice I hear in the wind and whose breath has given life and innocence to me… I am small and weak and I need your wisdom to...

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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. 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 Cherokee Travelers' Blessing I translation by Michael...

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When you ask me who I am, I can not be sure what to say. Am I a savage woman? My answer might dismay. Do I know what family is? It is surely hard to say. You see, Not too long ago in this country of the strong and free, My people had their freedom taken  and it has long since wore it’s effect...

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bare bleached bones shining vapored vision of verglas ~ horned owl screeches surge (February Full Moon – Cherokee) ...

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I planted trees, but you set forests on fire. I healed the earth, but you poisoned the rivers. I told you, again and again, that the land is not yours to wound— but you carve its flesh with greed. How many roots must wither before you listen? How many storms must drown your cities, how many fields must crack and crumble before you...

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An old couple seated on a park bench…lamenting the trouble the world is in… wondered if there was ever a time when the hierarchy of human values was not based on the color of one’s skin. A time when from the mountains to the valleys…across the rivers and the plains… membership in a society was not based on one’s...

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At day break, Commanche maiden wanders to the river Solemn silence greets her, then a tiny flick in the water Brother catfish, she guesses, Movement to the west She turns and meets the eyes of a fawn The creature is here to give her a lesson She listens the best she can For fawn is her spirit animal She has much to learn...

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Little Wolf met her namesake this week at Apache festival with her brother. They were together all week, running from one booth to another Can we keep him? She asked her father, a chief and her mother. I will keep him at my house, offered her giving grandmother. Little Wolf, wolves need to stay in their packs, and run...

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Warmth in a wigwam on a December afternoon. The sun was going down, but it was cozy and hot inside. my invited dinner guests would be here soon, so, I began organizing things I wanted to eliminate or hide. My early bird friend caught me and helped me out a bit. What are we eating tonight? She asked in her...

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Little Bear was watched over carefully by her bear spirit animal She did not always see her, but she felt the bond and communication When she was scared or upset, the grizzly bear showed up in spirit To reassure her, give her advice, to listen and sooth her feelings I wonder why my spirit animal is a bear, she...

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From our connection with Native Nations… the first people to walk this land… comes three bits of wisdom that have to do with the way we stand…. The first one sets the tone: May we be be strong enough to stand alone… The second…comes from our heart: May we be confident to stand apart… And the third will help us any...

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Today I celebrate the Powwow…if you’ve ever seen one you’d find it not only beautiful but informative and entrancing…. It’s the Native Nations’ ceremony of feasting, singing and dancing, It’s a time to come together…to let one’s heart and feelings soar… A time to celebrate the present members of a community… and those who’ve come before.. A time to celebrate all...

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