the message of crazy horse

- Lucille Clifton

 

i would sit in the center of the world,   

the Black Hills hooped around me and   

dream of my dancing horse. my wife

was Black Shawl who gave me the daughter   

i called They Are Afraid Of Her.   

i was afraid of nothing

except Black Buffalo Woman.   

my love for her i wore

instead of feathers. i did not dance

i dreamed. i am dreaming now

across the worlds. my medicine is strong.   

my medicine is strong in the Black basket   

of these fingers. i come again through this

Black Buffalo woman. hear me;   

the hoop of the world is breaking.   

fire burns in the four directions.

the dreamers are running away from the hills.   

i have seen it. i am crazy horse.

from Next. Copyright 1987.