Standing North Wind - Grandfather Kiwetenohk

The wind drives the snow into the Southwest from the Northeast. Grandfather whistles, I can hear him laugh. Sleep! Little ones, bears, raccoons, opposum, squirrel, wolf, coyote, cats. Sleep!
What freezes now will thaw in time. Six weeks until the seeds shake and Granmother in the East begins to wake us. Sleep! If you sleep deep then you will remember what you need to know.
If you stay awake through this winter's night, the secret of tomorrow will be lost. Sleep! Healing comes to those who Sleep!

Seven years since I have seen your face, Grandmother, Mother of my spirit.
I say your name three times and call your spirit back to me, but I know that the revolutions of the earth have taken you to the place where you cannot hear my earth voice. Like the rattle of dry leaves my own voice comes back to me - and reminds me that I must try to remember what you taught me. It is so easy to forget the wisdom and to fall upon the river of tears that bears this life to its end. Easier to stop on the banks and remember a way that you taught.

This is for my friend who will go far away. You will know us when we light our fire and sing your song. Tell me your song so you will know us when we sing it. Sing your song for me, my friend, so you can hear it in the mist when I call it back to you so that you do not get lost.
Love can fit inside the song and life can fit inside my drum. Sing for us now so that we know you in your song. All four directions know my song, all six directions make my song. We are the song and we are the singer.