Smoke Dancer

"Dudum dump dump".
The throbbing bass beats
of the drummer circle
go deep to my soul
and move my shuffling feet.
Moccasins move dust
in tiny smokey wisps
as I follow an ancient trail
around the council fires.

"Tingle, tangle, tink."
The carefully bent
chewing tobacco can lids
shine in the light
as I follow other dancers.
Fancy feathers on string
replace the eagle plumes
worn by my forefathers
as I follow an ancient trail
around the council fires.

"Swish, swish, swish"
The rawhide tassels
of my beaded shirt
and fancy leggings
move back and forth
to the rhythm of my body
as I follow the dance
and hope the audience
is entertained by my skill
as I follow an ancient trail
around the council fires.

"Howiwacipi, Howiwacipi"
(Smoke Dancer, Smoke Dancer)
My grandfathers call to me,
"Why do you dance
to white-made traditions
when you could join us?
Stand tall and remember
The People's traditions.
Take your place upon
sacred Mother Earth
as I follow an ancient trail
around the council fires.


****HOWIWACIPI-Sacred Dance http://language.nativeweb.org/Lakota_translation.htm
*****http://www.ohwejagehka.com/smokedance.htm