The God-Wagon
1.
The sacred flat pipe
is the wagon of god
the motion of God
the passing by of God
looking upon it one's shadow
if transported
to the tranquility of home;
looking upon it one's shadow
is at home.
2.
It rests upon four stalks
the sacred flat pipe
as when
glowing
it appeared
upon the dark waters
at the birth of the world.
Glowing with beauty'
afloat on the waters
glowing
in the tranquility of home.
3.
It gave to the people
its pity,
it called the turtle to heap up land
for the earth people,
the Arapaho,
it gave the land to
the earth people, the Arapaho.
It gave them the tranquil land of home.
4.
Whenever it rests on its four-legged alter
it is at home with the shadows,
at home in the tranquil shadows
with the devout people,
the Arapaho.
Northern Arapaho
Flat Pipe Ceremony
3 comments:
So there really is a flat pipe ceremony? I was wondering if it was some kind of a metaphor until the very end.
There is a flat pipe ceremony but this is not it. Tribal ritual is not biblical or christian or ever makes references to god, which are christian concepts. This rambling, bad writing is complete nonsense.
H.M. Odayin, Ahnishinabeg (Ojibway).
I certainly appreciate your input,
H. M. Odayin. Sorry you feel the poem, the song is inaccurate. My source was THE MAGIC WORD: American Indian Songs and Poems, edited by William Brandon. You will find NORTHERN ARAPAHO: The God-Wagon, A Song from the Flat Pipe Ceremony, adapted by John G. Carter, BAE Bulletin 119, Washington D. C. on page 94-95. Please feel free to respond.
Glenn
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