Radiance of an Unforgotten Dream

As the burnt orange gemstone sets, across the turquoise of the mystic sky

The calm of the dusk, begins to mist over, in peaceful awe, the mallard ducklings come to rest

Captured above, are wings of flocked snow geese, in arrowhead stream, they pass

Radiant silhouettes' shadow, following behind deer, buck, and doe, across wheat fields they graze

Never to forget, my native land, where my Cherokee roots began, where barefoot, I once walked

Where seeds, planted, continue to grow, longing to sprout, a hundred years past, rock of ages that last

Rolling clouds, move in, and begin to darken, as a blanket covers the mountainside of blue haze

Thunder snaps, like branches, from fallen trees, white muskrats rustle to find their hollow place

Giant silver raindrops, melting, as they fall, they dance a tribal ritual of the coming of Spring

Radiance of a native land, as I see images of spirits dressed in leather hides of coyote as they sing

The lakes and streams fill up with happy tears, like finding treasures of ancient artifacts of gold

I can almost hear the earth move, as it thirsts for more, the sound of rain pours out, as it speaks

In tongues of pride, of passion, haunting memories of battles won, and lost unforgotten strife

Where bronze bald eagles soar, strength in flight, lifts high, as it follows the pack of the wolf, who hungers to survive

Radiant is the wind against my skin, as I feel the land of my heritage, with love and meaning

To turn the burnt orange gemstone, into a forgiving sunrise, as I hear the sounds of silence, the waters quiet

Let us dance to the unforgettable, to the radiance of life, to the life there after

To open our hearts, to pain, and forgiveness, like the rose thorn that bleeds, as the rose pedals heal

To cherish the world, for its radiance, and the unforgotten dream, to once again, stand tall upon the mountains, to know true legacy, let it be told