There is a place
few dare to go,
A place dark as the night.
It is a place
that must be traveled
by faith,
and not by sight.

It is not a place
for the faint of heart,
or those controlled by fear,
or those who can only accept
what they can see, or feel, or hear.

It is a place
that lies deep
within the human heart,
A place that many of us
only know in part.

For some it is a place
of refuge and of peace,
For some it is
A place where the noise
and turmoil cease.

For some it is a place
of love and ecstasy,
For some it is a place
of heartache and misery.

For some it is a place
where they confront
their greatest fears,
For some it is a place
where they shed a millions tears.

For some it is a place
where battles are won and lost,
For some it is a place
to be avoided at any cost.

For it is in silence
where we confront ourselves
one on one,
And decide what we are going to do
and deal with what we have done.

For it is in silence
we get to know ourselves for real
For it is in silence
that we really fine out how we feel.

For it is the place
where all can be said,
where the truth is really told,
It is the place called silence,
the mirror of the soul.

written by Marty Soaring Eagle January, 2000

Four days of fasting stand before him
No food, limited water is allowed
Preparation for the vision quest
Rites to manhood have now begun

Eagerly sought and long awaited
The passage rite so important
A child for now, soon adult
A place of honor to assume in time
The cleansing sweat this day begins
Four gates honor seasons and the gifts
His uncle sits across and leads
Hard not to show the pride he feels

The sweat lodge is behind them now
The climb to the heights looms long
Placed by his uncle, his ordeal begins
He in the circle sits and prays.

A day, night, and day pass by
No vision yet has come to be
The clouds darken, thunder rolls
A cold wet night will prove to be.
Lightning flash and thunder crack
Rain pelting, washing, cleansing
A vision comes upon the child
He rises arms outstretched, he reaches high
Joyous yells echos off the hills
A youth has just crossed over
An adult has been born this day
Dancing Squirrel are you ready?

written by Wak' Tame - August 20, 2000

I hear the thunder in the sky...
The pounding hooves as they fly by.
Warriors riding in the deafening roar.
With bows at ready to do their chore.

A buffalo will give of itself today.
Its' spirit will rise as the people pray
To thank his spirit for the meat
That will give the people food to eat.

The Great Spirit gave to this land.....
A way to live with what is at hand.
Not one part will go to waste....
Nothing was done without thought in haste

This Sacred animal provides for us.....
A way for humankind to survive as we must.
There is a lesson here that must be learned......
Even the given must be earned.

written by Swift Eagle