Crazy Horse

Learning early on

not to trust

the lying white-eyes,

Crazy Horse leaps

upon his horse,

bounding off its hind hips

onto its massive back,

bolting away, holding on,

being as one they ride off;

bluecoat’s bullets missing,

leaving a trail of dust,

he escapes this time

to warrior another day,

blessing the spirits

for his freedom.

Yellow lightning bolt 

painted on his face,

brave beyond belief

at the Little Big Horn

for his visions told

of his being invincible

that day of the battle.

Great warrior, Protector

of his people, knowing

they are weakened

by hunger and winter,

surrenders for survival.

Despising the white-eyes,

forced to live among them,

trapped one night

within their walls,

bolting for the door,

fighting off many,

he sees his vision

quest at its end,

stabbed by bayonet,

brought down,

by the lying white-eyes.