Open Poetry #44 |
Wakan Tanka |
TheAnonDavid Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237UK |
On a misty summer's morning, While the sun was gently sleeping, While the hills were clothed in darkness And the trees with dew were weeping Mighty braves with eagle feathers Watched the early morning's glory, Like their fathers long before them, Like a never ending story. As the tallest tree stands proudly Dominating all around it Symbol of a time now passing, Sacred to those who surround it, So they wait for sunshine bursting Through the fabric of the night time, Waiting for the perfect moment, Wait with patience for the right time. Then at last a voice is lifted, High above the silent masses, Telling how the sun has risen, Over mountains, hills and passes. Wakan Tanka watches closely At the Sun Dance laid before him As the braves all dance in frenzy Showing how they all adore him. As they dance the visions visit, Taking over mind and being; All around their eyes are opened, Opened wide but nothing seeing. All around the songs grow louder, Carried on the gentle breezes. Still the dancing grows more frantic, Faster still as nothing eases. Then the bravest start the bloodshed As the shaman's sharp knife flashes, Flashes in the heat and sunshine, Slitting flesh with practised slashes. Not one cry does any utter As the shaman slowly slices; Each brave stands in painful silence As himself he sacrifices. Ropes of hide are tied and ready; Through his wounds the bone is threaded Each brave pulls the hide e'er tighter Till his skin is torn and shredded. This he offers to the spirit All with careful thought and reason; This he offers to the spirit Thankful for the joyous season. Wakan Tanka's chosen children Dance the sacred, tribal Sun Dance Then stand tall among the nations Like a solid, fearsome war lance. Wakan Tanka watches closely At the Sun Dance laid before him As the braves all dance in frenzy Showing how they all adore him. Notes on the Sun Dance The Sun Dance is a ceremony shared by several North American Native Nations. Common to all versons is dancing, singing, drumming, fasting, visions and - in some cases - self torture/self sacrifice. The whole dance lasts from four to eight days and is usually held around the summer solstice. It is symbolic of a continuity between life and death, a regeneration. After the selection and preparation of the sun pole, braves dance and sing accompanied by rhythmic drumming, often going into trances. The United States government banned the Sun Dance in 1904 because it considered the next part barbaric. Volunteer braves would have their chests cut by a shaman (medicine man) who would insert a skewer of bone through the skin. This was then fastened with buffalo hide to the sun pole and the brave had to rip the skewers through his skin to gain release. In fact, the object of being pierced is to sacrifice one's self to the Great Spirit, and to pray while connected to the Tree of Life, a direct connection to the Great Spirit. It was the Carter Administration that finally gave back the ceremony its full legal status. Wakan Tanka is the Sioux name for the Great Spirit - or more correctly the Great Mystery. My description of the Sun Dance and the poem is based upon the Lakota Sioux ceremony and any discrepancy in the facts are totally my own for which I unreservedly apologise. Do not go gentle into that good night. |
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© Copyright 2009 David M M (UK) - All Rights Reserved | |||
Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
This is interesting and very well written, dear David. Thank you for sharing also the information. Love, Margherita |
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Shadow Angel Junior Member
since 2009-05-31
Posts 29New Zealand |
~ Wow! this is an intense piece I could feel the build of energy in their worship the images are intense near the end there very well wrought, my friend...great rhyme and rhythm, and a great read *hugs* Sasha xx |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
/pip/Forum100/HTML/003112.html One I wrote recently "wopila tanka" meaning much thanks in Lakota. Thanks for sharing this Wakan Tanka write! |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
My mother worked very closely with Native American tribes in the south, she is an anthropologist. I'm reminded of those times where I heard her stories of their culture. Very interesting. I enjoyed this piece very much. Thanks for sharing it. |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Excellent! Intense! Engaging! Powerful! Informative! Wow! I'm still reeling from some of the images!!! Very vivid descriptions! Linda |
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TheAnonDavid Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237UK |
My thanks to you all for reading and for your generous comments. |
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