THE MOUNTAIN.

The mountain stands upon the land,
It is such a guiding force,
It draws me near throughout the year,
To give vent to my thoughts. 

When winter comes to the mountain,
A shroud of white appears,
The streams they stop their flowing,
And I can feel the spirits near. 

The snow lies like a blanket,
Covering everything from sight,
The air turns crisp and cold,
As the moon shines clear and bright. 

You can hear the trees snap and crackle,
As the coldness takes its grip,
The beauty is amazing,
I stand in awe of it. 

Shunkepi Nunpi
January 2004

MY FRIEND.

I stand outside my tipi,
Before the coming of the morning light,
Feeling so heavy hearted,
Dreading day’s first light. 

To know that you have gone forever,
Never to be mentioned again,
Is an awful burden,
As we bury you my friend. 

For I will no longer hear your words,
Or together ride the plains,
My life will be so different now,
Surely never to be the same. 

I hope your spirit now flies the skies,
Beneath the eagles wings,
And I will pray to the Great Spirit,
For a sacred vision you might bring. 

My heart would soar like a bird,
If I could see you once again,
So that I could tell you one last time,
That I loved you, my friend. 

Shunkepi Nunpi.
January 2004

WHITE BUFFALO DREAM.

In the swirling whiteness,
A dream was sent to me,
I heard the sound of breathing,
Of an animal I could not see. 

Then the mist before my eyes,
Slowly drifted away,
And I found myself standing,
In the brightness of the day. 

Alone at first upon the plains,
I began to look around,
My heart was beating faster,
When I realised what I had found. 

For standing just behind me,
Now looking me straight in the eyes,
Was the biggest whitest buffalo,
Who was not afraid to die. 

Slowly he moved towards me,
Then I thought I heard him say,
“You and I are brothers.”
And then he moved away. 

I gave thanks for this dream,
That was sent to me,
Because it showed me who I am,
And what I’m meant to be. 

Shunkepi Nunpi
January 2004