Earth Prayer
Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice.
At the center of the secret hoop
You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.
With tears running, O Great Spirit, my
Grandfather,
With running eyes I must say
The tree has never bloomed
Here I stand, and the tree is withered.
Again I recall the great vision you gave me.
It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then
That it may leaf
And bloom
And fill with singing birds!
Hear me, that the people may once again
Find the good road
And the shielding tree.
–Black Elk, in Earth Prayers From Around The World, p. 86
