Native American Poetry

"A Sioux Prayer"
Translated by Chief Yellow Lark - 1887

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
Whose breath gives life to the world, hear me
I come to you as one of your many children
I am small and weak
I need your strength and wisdom
May I walk in beauty
Make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
And my ears sharp to your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children.
The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock
Make me strong--------!
Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy....myself
Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,
So that when life fades as the fading sunset,
May my spirit come to you without shame.

This is an older example of Native American poetry, but reveals much of the culture of this people group. This culture is characterized by spirtuality and love of nature. Man is seen as part of the earth, not ruler over it. The author uses reveals these ideas in desribing an individual as being their own biggest enemy, along with the use of nature imagery.

Source: http://www.firstpeople.us/html/A-Sioux-Prayer.html