FOOTSTEPS IN THE SNOW

Absaroka Women-
Hear my footsteps in the snow,
a’ crushing, crunching crystals
while the freezing winds drone low.
They sound as loud as hoofbeats
in the icy chill of night;
and they fly as far as eagles
when the world is furled in white.

Footsteps, footsteps in the snow
and whispers on the breeze,
are riding on the mountain air
through clumps of needled trees.
Hear them say these lonely days
are wan and almost through…
that when the moon is fat again,
I’ll be back there with you.

Absaroka women-
sweet daughter of the Crow,
hear my whispers on the wind
and footsteps in the snow.
When earth sheds its cold white fur
and bares its tawny skin,
when the leather on the lake
is cracked and growing thin,
when the teal-eyed birds are back
and trees are on the mend-
then this long and weary trek
away from you, will end.

Bette Wolf Duncan
copyright2001

   A BRAVE'S RETURN by Charles M. Russell