"May you be as strong as the oak,
yet flexible as the birch;
may you stand tall as the redwood,
live gracefully as the willow;
and may you always bear fruit
all your days on this earth."
Native American Prayer
Shined down across the lap
of the Earth Mother
And in the waters of continuous change
the
Spirits of the Waters Flow Freely
~ Rod Bearcloud Berry ~
The sun kisses a mountain top
And glistens on its face of snow,
And slowly climbs into the sky above
And lights the valley below.
For each of us that this day awakes
A miracle takes place.
For once again we walk our earth
And own all upon its face.
And the past regrets and foolish fears
Of yesterday's cloudy mind,
Are washed away by the light of day
And seem so far behind.
For each of us is reborn each day,
Our life renews again.
And with the help of God we will find a cause
That makes us want to win.
For a man without a goal in life
Is a man already dead.
His mind wanders from place to place,
And he walks with feet of lead.
He has no reason to stretch his mind,
No spirit to stir his soul.
His name is not even in the book,
When destiny calls the roll.
Better to take the wine of life
And drink both deep and long-
Greet each day 'cause you're here to stay,
And sing your warrior's song.
For the battle of life is joined,
and You might fight long and true.
For in this strife, it's the game of your life
And the only loser is you.
Gird up your loins with courage
And answer the trumpets call,
And lose or win, you can say at the end,
This was the greatest of all!
~William E Bailey~