The Flower

I wish my flower could be
down in the meadow by the river
where Spirit Sun when He comes up
takes away cold smoke of the morning,

but Uma, see how Krah smears blood
on claws of the short-faced bear
as Tunka plucks my flower
to burn for Spirit Moon.

The pretty petals are dying there,
just as our sister Manah did
in the Great Pit wearing the hide
we dyed with plums and carrots.

Tonight my flower won't look as nice
when Krah pours blood on the altar stone.
Tunka will burn it in his cup,
but, Uma, ssshh, come with me.

Come to the river and see,
wrapped in a tree leaf hidden there
behind the great rock of Zar
that makes Tunka cry when he tries to sleep,

Uma, I took the seeds!