oh Great spirit
whose voice I hear in the wind, and whose breath gives life to all the world
hear me, I am small and weak
I need your strength and wisdom
let me walk in beauty and my eyes never behold the red and purple sunset
makes my hands respect the things you have
made my ears sharp to hear your voice
make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people
let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock
I seek strength not to be greater than my brother but to fight my greatest enemy
“my self”
make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes
so when life’s fade as the fading sunset my spirit will come to you without shame
***
– mei –