Pale faced

PALE-FACED

I ventured deep into the Forest to howl like the Gray Wolf

guided by unbearable Pain

I, the last Indian from the Hangover tribe

born twenty years too early.

When I first laid eyes on the Pale-Faced Girl

I felt a broken arrow piercing through my heart

still, I didn't allow Pain to show on my face

for that's how Indians from my village do.

I knew all about temporal distance and differences in skin color

the laws of human nature, the laws of the sky

kneeling, I prayed to Good God

help me do what's right.

I am an Indian because I can tear out my own heart and throw it into the fire

I've long grown accustomed to enduring Pain

they can defeat me, capture me, crush me

but no one can take away my Song.

I drank peyote and climbed the most rugged, most inaccessible rock

for nine years, I prayed to the Great Manitou to let me go mad

finally, I clearly saw Another Man's Woman before me

yet I couldn't cease longing for her.

I fled into the deepest, darkest forest

and lay on the Earth between Oak and Pine

then I roared terrifyingly like the Mortally Wounded Bison

but still, in my heart and in my mind

she was there

the Pale-Faced Girl with eyes as bright as Dawn.

on Saint John's Day, 07.07.09, at 05:00, Ljig

Vladimir Pantović

PALE-FACED