Right of Passage

By William Shepherd



A right of passage for a young brave of young years.



A young brave must go out to the prairie alone!  From the tribe he loves to cleanse his soul and body, to grow into a young brave that he longs to be, one with God and Man to know the aloneness of the prairie.



As the wind from the north blows cold across the prairie it chills him to the bone, as the long days of the sun can burn the skin.  I long for night to come and cool one from the heat of the day.  I know my vision is on its way long nights and days with only water to cool my body from the heat.  As the sun comes up I hear the sound of a horse’s hooves that tell me my quest of many days is almost over.  My father brings food and water, as we sat around the fire.  He says my vision quest is through and hands me an Eagle feather.  He said you’re a Brave now and can lead the people the Wolf Tribe for now you know the suffering of the people.  This is your vision, my brave young son.