Thomas R. Milne, Sr

CHIEF OF THE SKY

There is a story here, my friends that must be told
Of an Indian boy, so young, and Brave and Bold.
As time does not stand still, neither does life itself for any man
So sit back and listen, to what my Grandfather told me, many moons ago.

Many, many moons ago, upon this fertile land
Where Buffalo roamed and Deer did play
And Bear did make their home.
A band of Indians did settle one day.

Children frolicked in the meadows and by the brooks
As Mother Nature did wrap her loving arms around them
The Great Spirit did bless them with an abundance of food and game
But most of all with Peace, no man has known since.

One young boy I remember so well
Stood by the campfire burning bright
His eyes did pierce the burning dead of night
Tall and straight as an arrow in flight.

By his Grandfather, our Chief, firm did brace himself
Grandfather, Grandfather, in a low soft coaxing voice did call
The time has come that I must become a Brave
So that a man I can become with Pride.

A warrior for your blessings to have, and then a chief to be
Late this night deep within his Tepee
As a dense dark cloud hovered near
In peaceful sleep this Brave did lay, his dreams to appear…

As the Spirit moved so did the shadow of what was to come
Did reach out and touch this youthful body within;
Out from beneath the cloak of darkness within his mind
Like a ball of fire takes hold, and unfolds itself.

His Spirit rises up, ponders a moment and then goes forth
Sleep well young brave, as tomorrow comes to soon !!!
Your Future is now at hand, upon the winds: behold!
Sleep well my brave; we shall be as one this night.

Silently through the entrance of the Tepee did slide
To his Grandfathers side, Farewell Grandfather I must go
Picked up his Longbow, Quiver, and Lance, turned knelt
A silent prayer, for now the Great Spirit must be his only guide.

Swift of foot he ran, as the wind in the trees looked on
Deep into the brush with pain as thorns slashed his flesh
Blood trickled down this young braves body like rivers.
Suddenly, as a flash he did stop, and drop to listen to the earth.

Heart pounding as if to explode, not far off a sound of terror
Now, even sooner than he had thought, his life would change
For there not fifty feet away stood his destiny
Towering among the trees on hind legs, challenging all that come its way.

Eyes piercing blood red, teeth long and bared
Huge paws slashing in mid air, with deafening roars, a Grizzly.
Fear started to work its way up through his body
For pouncing towards him came his foe…

Darting sideways almost off balance our brave leaped
The Grizzly, in rage plundered forward and spun around
The young brave retrieved an arrow, affixed his bow and let fly
Silent death was in the air as the Grizzly fell heavily in great surprise.

Pain struck the brave, as he looked at the bear and then at himself
The Grizzly had fallen but not before gashing the young brave critically
Then for some time, the wounded young brave lay upon the cool ground
Barely able to move, our young brave prayed to the Great Spirit for help.

Pain racked his body, but he had to take his enemy home to the tribe
And after long endless hours, finally the camp was in sight
Our brave put the carcass of his enemy by his Grandfathers tepee
He then lay down to rest, his duty done, a Brave he had became.

Within his deep and endless sleep, clouds began to form
A great white stallion, with flowing mane and nostrils flared
Eyes that shone as the stars, body glistening with due
To him did come, and stood there by his side.

Behold this Great white stallion was not alone, for there rode many braves
Upon stopping next to our brave one motioned for him to rise
Come, ride with us into the endless sky, you are no longer just a brave
You are a Chief among Chiefs, we shall ride always, by your side.

With renewed life this young Chief rose, mounted
Picked up his Lance, Quiver, with Longbow
Went to where his Grandfather lay and placed his Lance with love
Sleep well Grandfather, I must go for I am now a Chief.

A Chief I have became, fear not I am with our people; I shall watch over you
Quick as an eye can blink, the Great stallion pawed the air, then sped away
Clouds of whirling mist engulfed them as upwards they climbed
I, as their new Chief was honoured, so was all that lay before him.

His village did not weep, but were proud of what he had become, Chief
Since the Hide of the enemy was for all to see, and laid at his Grandfathers feet
And to this day the legend of this young brave now a Chief, lives on for eternity
This young Brave that became a Chief, Chief of the sky.

©Copyright September 10, 1973 by Thomas R. Milne, Sr