Read Black Elk Speaks by John G Neihardt
back in the Age of Aquarius nineteen seventies.
Black Elk, powerful Medicine Man, mystic too.
Parts of the book trails of tears, sorrowful times
saddened me what Black Elk went through.
At the end of the book Black Elk did a rain dance
and the rains fell, according to John G Neihardt.
Night I finished the book had a mystical dream.
On the top of a street I lived near in my youth,
trouble making teenagers gathered wild and rambunctious.
Black Elk appeared looking old, decrepit, weak and helpless.
Teenagers yell, “Make it rain, make it rain, Black Elk!”
Knowing he couldn’t do it, taunting and disrespecting him.
He starts unsteady powwow dance steps, chants weakly,
Teenagers laugh and keep making fun of him.
I say, “Don’t, don’t,” at what they’re doing to ancient-looking Black Elk.
Black Elk keeps dancing and chanting weakly, feeble attempts.
Teenagers keep laughing hysterically, drop to the ground holding their stomachs.
Suddenly massive dark clouds roll in from the four corners of the world,
shocking, apocalyptic sight, day turning into night, end of the world feeling.
Teenagers’ screams pierce the air, terrified death is coming for them.
Smiling and amazed, I gaze at Black Elk, the dark clouds rumbling overhead.
Seconds later I’m standing in the center of the universe
beholding endless planets and stars. Woke up, mind blown,
knew it was more than a dream,
Genuine after death contact with a powerful medicine man.
I think because of empathy.
Bob Boyd
At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.
Black Elk