The Gift

His message came when the grass is brown.

My horse tribe brother, Red Bear wrote me from prison.

It was not good for him. Too many walls, too much concrete and steel. He could not connect with Sky Father.

At sunset I went to the herd-to pray and sing.

I asked Sky Father to send a vision thru me for my brother.

As I sang-the herd drew close about me.

I could feel their understanding. They gave of their strength to help me.

From the depths of the Earth Mother came a screaming of many horses.

The sound was terrible to hear. All became a blackness-I spun far back upon the great hoop.

I could feel myself journey very far into our ancestral past.

There was no way to measure-what was. As the screaming cries receded. I was standing on a mountain side.

A ways off-stood Red Bear. We were upon a small knoll.

Carrion made the air foul in our lungs. It was a place of death and choosing.

All about us were the rotting carcasses of great elk. We were ringed by dire wolves seeking to attack.

Fiery colors filled the air-sounds of pain drifted. Red Bear stood-tall and brave.

He was cloaked in his totem-holding no weapon. The cave bear spirit was upon him. Clothed in the hide of a great cave bear.

Its head rested upon his-they had grown together to become one.

I stood by close. Dressed in the skins of wolves. I held a long heavy elk leg bone for a weapon.

My face was Coyote.

The wolves ceaselessly attacked.

We fought bravely-singing our death songs to Sky Father.

Only small wounds had we yet. As the battle drew on it became darker and darker.

Sky Father sent me the feelings of Red Bears need.

He spoke not to me-for only has Rhiannon blessed me with words.

Red Bear was being drawn away from me. I felt myself being pulled away. leaving Red Bear to his battle, alone.

Then he was gone.

The world of my horses came about me again. The herd breathed upon me. To give me strength.

I knew Father had sent me a strong vision for my brother.

I knew I must tell him to stand tall and brave though the white father seeks to slay his spirit.

He must be clothed in his bears spirit and pull it about him in these perilous days.

He needs to seek his comfort in family and friends-not in the world about him.

The trickster brings darkness in his dreams-he must call to Sky Father and the totem of his bear standing with a foot in each world-his soul is in peril.

There is no middle ground for one of the Bear.

Stand strong my brother-do not let the grey walls win.

We wait for your release.

We will have a great singing and blessing though I am Marerider.

I speak as the Coyote you know so well