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This hung in a frame in the hallway of my father’s house for as long as I can remember. I do not know if it was my fathers or my grandfathers. All I know is that every morning before my father left the house he would glance at it and go about his day. Since his untimely death it has hung in my house. I don't know why but reading it reassures me. I do not know if it has a name but I believe they are words to live by.
***
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
Tecumseh
***
This year while surfing the net I found this poem and it too hangs in my hallway.
***
A Warrior’s Open Letter To Death
Dear Grim Reaper, I’d like to warn
That I won’t run like most
I will not flee, I will not hide
This is not a proud boast
It’s not a threat or challenge
Just a promise what’s to come
When we are face to face, this Warrior
Will not succumb
To fear, to doubt or regret ‘cause
For years I have now walked
The path that so many have only
Dreamed and wished and talked
I know you wait until some are
Breaking down and quite old
Know regardless of my grey
I’ll always be this bold
Come for me while I’m still strong
In muscle and in mind
Come for me before my ears
Go deaf and eyes go blind
And though the outcome’s definite
I only have one goal
When I do battle with you, it’s
To exact a great toll
I do not doubt your victory
But I assure one truth
If you come for me while I am
Still in my years of youth
When you are finished, you will have
To stop and take a breath
You’ll know it was a Warrior
That has just battled Death
See you somewhere down the road
On that cold, lonely night
I’m not afraid for I know it
Will be my last good fight
Miro
***
For All Warriors,
They do not have to be soldiers.
They can be either Man and Woman,
Old or Young,
As long as their lives touched and enriched this world,
These are Warriors in my eyes.
***
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
Tecumseh
***
This year while surfing the net I found this poem and it too hangs in my hallway.
***
A Warrior’s Open Letter To Death
Dear Grim Reaper, I’d like to warn
That I won’t run like most
I will not flee, I will not hide
This is not a proud boast
It’s not a threat or challenge
Just a promise what’s to come
When we are face to face, this Warrior
Will not succumb
To fear, to doubt or regret ‘cause
For years I have now walked
The path that so many have only
Dreamed and wished and talked
I know you wait until some are
Breaking down and quite old
Know regardless of my grey
I’ll always be this bold
Come for me while I’m still strong
In muscle and in mind
Come for me before my ears
Go deaf and eyes go blind
And though the outcome’s definite
I only have one goal
When I do battle with you, it’s
To exact a great toll
I do not doubt your victory
But I assure one truth
If you come for me while I am
Still in my years of youth
When you are finished, you will have
To stop and take a breath
You’ll know it was a Warrior
That has just battled Death
See you somewhere down the road
On that cold, lonely night
I’m not afraid for I know it
Will be my last good fight
Miro
***
For All Warriors,
They do not have to be soldiers.
They can be either Man and Woman,
Old or Young,
As long as their lives touched and enriched this world,
These are Warriors in my eyes.
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