Grandfather, Great Mysterious One, you have been always, and before you nothing
has been. There is nothing to pray to but you. The star nations all over the
universe are yours. And yours are the grasses of the earth. Day in Day out,
you are the light of things. You are older than all weeds. Older than all
things on Earth.

Grandfather, all over the world the faces of living things are all alike. In
tenderness they have come above the ground. Look upon your children with
children in their arms, that they may face the winds and walk the good road to
the day of quiet.

Teach me to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Sweeten my heart
and fill me with life. Give me the strength to understand, and the eyes
to see. Help me for without you I am nothing. Hetchetu aloh!

In your throat is a living song
A living spirit song
His name is long life maker
Yes, I'm here to heal
With the healing ways
Of the magic of the ground
And the magic of the earth

So go on my friend
And sing with the healing spirit
With the magic of the ground
With the magic of the earth
And you will spring to life
Through the power of the words
Through the magic of the ground
Through the magic of the earth

remember the days of winter out in frontier land, the snow had carpeted the world, the empty void had descended upon the lands and the buffalo had all but disappeared. we climbed up that hill for two days, daring the elements, we made our camp on the east ledge and when the sun rose it warmed our hearts. we ate rabbit and drank more whiskey, it was cold and our tears froze. on our face, we could pick them off, i took yours and placed them on the end of my tongue. we climbed higher and eventually reached the plateau. you had climbed well, ascended the hill without complaining yet i knew you were in such pain, the whiskey helped but you kept smiling and kept my spirits up.
on the summit we made another fire in a small cave, i hunted for rabbit but came back with a deer. you made preparations. after eating i prepared the pipe and we smoked, then i wrapped you in the sacred blanket and lay you down, stroking your forehead with my old fingers and i chanted the songs, you gripped my hand and said you were unafraid and that you loved me so very much, and i loved you. the moon had risen now, un-obscured by clouds it hung there above us, lighting up the land in it's mysterious silver light, i chanted and made the rites. your spirit left quickly, your last breath ended with one last smile as your eyes reflected mine. the drum beat of your heart had ceased but your spirit lived in me.