August 1, 2022

Where We Begin The Cycle Of Forever

Our poet in residence, Lois Red Elk (Dakota/Lakota), writes about the sun dance and seeking healing

by Lois Red Elk-Reed

The sun dance is one of the most sacred ceremonies for tribal communities in the high plains of the US and Canada. For some it is about healing or righting one's way in the journey of life or, for teenagers, coming of age. Often, drums are used. Lois Red Elk references the sun dance in her poems below. Out of respect for the sun dance and those who participate in it, we are not sharing detailed photographs taken at ceremonies or paintings made by artists. This image of a drum, taken at a pow wow, is courtesy Shutterstock 130073903/James Mattil

Hello MoJo Friends,

Greetings from my corner of the northern prairie.

It' s been a long two months of healing, and the best medicine for me was the power of the Sun Dance. I was able to participate in two ceremonies this year. Just being among my own and the sincere rites shared was healing.

I am sending along two poems. the first, "Somewhere Between," is from a book of mine titled Dragonfly Weather. It was written for a young relative Sundancer. I am coupling it with my new poem, "Where We Begin..." as an intro to a series of four poems that will appear in my new book.

During the sun dances this year, relatives invited me to participate in ceremonies where I was able realize the sacred power of collective prayer. It was good to experience

ceremonies that have existed since the beginning of time. They put life into a deeper perspective. Can't say any more than that!

I hope this finds each of you well in heart and spirit.

Thank you for your prayers,

Lois

A glimpse at sun dance poles: This picture was taken by an unknown photographer of Shoshone men partaking in a sun dance at Fort Hall in Idaho around 1925. Photo is from the US National Archives and Records Administration archives.

Somewhere Between

(for nephew Russ)

by Lois Red Elk

Somewhere between faith and

his cluster of

commitments, a common man

inhales love for

his people as he begins his flesh

sacrifice at the

sacred Sun Dance pole. He gulps

moisture from

humid air and lifts his prayers to a

southern wind asking

his dragonfly to use its speed and

take him quickly

to the world where vision is caught

in hope, where

sacrifice is recognized and his

weakness turns into

a victory over all that is negative.

The tethered ropes

hold firm jagged pieces

of his body,

his crying heart, and solemn words

for the 2-legged,

the children of mother earth. “This

dance is a thank

you for all that has been received,

and it is

a prayer that the people will continue.”

©Lois Red Elk

Photo courtesy Wikipedia/Creative Commons 4.0/Hectonichus

Where We Begin...

by Lois Red Elk

Dragonfly is sharing this story with me,

its red braided wings glow in the rays

for the descending light of the holy days.

He said he will hold back the rain, promise

thunder a thankful dance of skin sacrifice

where my virgin nieces shared their ultimate

gift of purity by giving a strike then lifting and

carrying the sacred tree to the space of eternal

worship. I can still hear nephews breathing their

exhale a soft lullaby of eagle whistles, their

dance a motion of earth pulse as they watched

the sun make its way to the point of shadow

where a soft dangle of cottonwood leaves

quiver in respond to the call of the coming

west wind. Thankful to be and to stand on that

holy ground, bare feet absorbing the rhythm

of united steps, wanting the drum to connect

this waiting, longing heart, a heart of creation

in the process of synchronizing, with all the

hearts present. My young, blood relative sang

for and of the sun with full knowledge of all

ancestors sharing their voices for his memory.

For eons we named the moons, timed the growth

of chokecherries for the height and heat of days,

living with revolving time to give thanks to this

moon, our sun, to open earth and inhaling winds.

And now we are here again to remember our

beginnings, our earth life, our promise to Spirit

where we begin our continued cycle of forever…

©Lois Red Elk

POSTNOTE: We are pleased that Lois is working away on a new collection of poems and will let you know when it is published. In the meantime, ask for her other volumes at your favorite local bookseller: Our Blood Remembers, winner of the best non-fiction award from Woodcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers; Dragonfly Weather; and Why I Return to Makoce with a foreword from Montana's recent state poet laureate Lowell Jaeger and nominated for a High Plains Book Award in poetry. Given headlines that continue to appear about the discoveries of new atrocities committed at boarding schools for indigenous children, we encourage you to read Lois' contribution to MoJo that appeared in June, The Unspeakable Past Of Indian Boarding Schools

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About Lois Red Elk-Reed

Lois Red Elk-Reed is a poet who calls the high plains home. She is Mountain Journal's poet in residence.

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August 1, 2022

Where We Begin The Cycle Of Forever

Our poet in residence, Lois Red Elk (Dakota/Lakota), writes about the sun dance and seeking healing

Defend Truth &Wild Places

Defend Truth &
Wild Places