by

Tom Mach

The Colapissas tribe tells of a long ago time,
when a great sweeping deluge on earth came
To save mankind, they baked an earthen pot,
with a man and a woman carried in same

Other tribes tell when fire was found
by an ancient who was both blind and tall
Once he chased thieves with his stick,
But the stick burned, and fire was given to all.

Both Indian legends and tribes abound--
The Natchez, Sioux, Cheyenne, many more
Moctobi, Hopi, Choctaw, and Navajo
Yes, many nations, and many more.

Some tribes homed near the Mississippi
Other tribes lived much further away
But all longed for the peace of the Great River,
and took different paths along the way.

Cheyenne, like others, had wandered afar
in search of their final tranquility
Though broken in power, not in spirit
Neither in courage, nor inner nobility.

The Hopi, now a peaceable people
Yet a history darkened with wars lost
nonetheless found joy in just being,
knowing that peace was worth the cost.

In summary, all waters lead to a creek
All creeks lead to a stream
All streams lead to the Great River
of peace, which why we must dream