The Wolf Inside

A conversation between two native american men. I was inspired by how they use nature to explain the problems and meaning of life.

Two red men sat in the woods

Made copper by bright fire light.

Together alone, one told a tale

That was whispered into the night...

 

"Brother," he said, "I am as old as the hills

but you are just finding your feet.

There is much you don't know and much you don't dare

And much you believe that you need."

 

"But Redwing," said Brighteyes, who now was a man

Whose face showed no valleys or hills

"how can you not want more, to search this land,

Is there not more you wish to fufill?"

 

"No my friend, for what I don't know

I do not wish for or plead

For nature, our home, has given her all

for what we survive on and need."

 

"Redwing," said the younger, " how can you say that

Be satisfied without knowing more?

Don't you want to know whats beyond the beyond

past the canyons and lakes and the shores?"

 

"I trust mother nature has not hidden from us

anything we need that isn't here.

Our food and out shelter, our families and friends.

Everything to our hearts that is near.

 

Travel if you must young one, travel if you may

Just do not grow lonely or cold.

Trust this earth to provide all you need

Please return before you've grown old.

 

For a person needs people and your people need you

Like the stars need the moon in the night.

Learn and grow and when you return

You will know what is wrong from whats right."

 

Brighteyes got up and brushed off his hands.

He looked Redwing in the eye.

Redwing stood back and looked at this young man and said

"I guess that this is goodbye."

 

"Goodbye" said the young one " and keep in your mind

above us both is the very same sky

that will protect the two of us and bring me back

When the timing is right."

 

"Brother," said Redwing, " I am as old as the hills

but you are just finding your feet.

There are two wolves inside us, one good and one bad.

The one that lives is the one that you feed."

Author's Note

Hopefully no one expected Twilight fan fiction :P I hope I captured the fact that Brighteyes is leaving to learn about the world and himself, Redwing leaves him with his final peice of advice.

Reviews

[Jazmen]

Wow, you're one of my favorite writers here just after reading 2 pieces. This one caught me because of the title. I am familiar with the story of the two wolves.. yet I was not exactly expecting your poem to incorporate it.
I do like it that you created a more elaborated version, and it's really well written and vividly told. I like your words. Great work.
One thing that I wouldve loved is if you found a rhyme for 'feed' that you felt fit right in the last stanza, because it's such a bold statement, so true and powerful, it would gain more strength, I feel. But that's just my two cents. It's great the way it is anyway

[Stabitha]

You capture it well. You have a talent for story-telling in your poetry. Impressive.

[Becky]

This was really well written! I actually wrote a poem about a year ago with the same title, but in German (not the poem, the title). Yours has more substance to it, though.

[Sophie]

I. I... AHHH! No words, no words.

[Ezekiel Silver]

Nice poem! I must admit when I read the title I didn't expect the subject to be this. Good work!!

[Phoenix]

Wow, Lumiere. What a great piece. Don't you just love the Internet. How else could you meet a writer from Ireland? My novel is about the American Indians - the Mandan tribe to be exact. Did extensive study. I live in Hollywood. Nice to meet you.

[rivers]

Outstanding! As half American Native you would be adored for your understanding words. The conversation of a young Brave with his Elder. Wow and it says above your live in Ireland? There are 2 wolves in me because I was considered an outcast by my ancient culture because I am a "half breed" I do not pause to tell you I have 4 wolves because red and white make brown. Of the 2 this man child has I know the color of my good brother wolf's hide...

[just is]

You are a very wonderful writer, I could really sit here and read all your writes.
I love how it is so easy to read. You have a flair for creative writing. I love the
Rhyme scheme so much. Awesome!