Rueful Rhymes

Four hundred years ago and more

I crouched upon the forest floor

With feathers in my hair.

I'll ne'er forget that sacred place

To which I came with painted face

Or the pact I made there.

Now the verdant wood welcomes me.

With sound of thrushes' melody

The branches were ringing.

The whispering breeze with voices teemed.

I waited by the babbling stream,

Th' while its secrets gleaming.

Four days had come, and four nights passed.

I kept a vigil and a fast,

And in my heart a prayer;

Drumming for the Great Manitou

To manifest my totem true

And me a vision spare.

Heavy was th' air with smoke of sage

While all my senses were engaged;

E'er hoping, e'er knowing

That one would come who's with me walk;

Who in my dreams would to me talk,

Its power bestowing.

When something moved amid the trees

I from my chanting straightway ceased,

Of a presence aware.

A great, gray wolf sauntered forth.

It drew quite close and then stopped short.

I could do naught but stare.

It watched me for a moment's space

Before it turned and off did race.

I rose with flesh tingling.

A word unspoken we'd exchanged.

Something of th' other we retained

In our spirits' mingling.

Through all my lives and all my deaths

The beast in me, it never rests.

A common soul we share.

I am th' wolf which walks like a man.

Come not near, lest I bite your hand.

Run with me if you dare.

Let's quit this prison of glass and steel,

And all that keeps us under heel,

These cities forsaking.

We'll find our way to distant climes

And leave men's customs far behind,

Our leashes breaking.