Don Bendell
so swiftly down the mountain side
with sinew bulging spotted rump
he vaulted o'r a rocky hump
Descendants of Chief Joseph's herd
Hawk's canter was like a flying bird
Swollen streams couldn't break his stride
His head held high with Nes Pierce pride
I rode that steed with fleeting speed
his strong legs breaking through high weed
hailstones splattered, horseshoes clattered
and a flock of wild grouse chattered
On shale slid Hawk, tripped and stumbled
down the slope we flipped and tumbled
the snow flakes started swirling down
as I lay hurt, on rocky ground
I was dazed, my body aching
Dizzy, sore and both legs shaking
we both felt pain from head to toes
Yet hurt, Hawk raised me with his nose
I wrapped my wounds and mounting, moaned
said " Come Hawk, now take us home"
around his neck my arms were tied
he started down the mountain side
I dreamed of being safe and warm
As Hawk plowed through that raging storm
and somewhere on that awful trek
I slumped across that great arched neck
Then thoughts came flooding in my head
my wife sat crying by my bed
I wont forget those words she said
"He brought you home...but Hawk is dead"
"For three whole days you've been asleep
the snow outside is five feet deep
once you were home safe and sound
Hawk whinnied once, then dead fell down."
She said "He brought you here on will
and fell when coming down that hill
his legs were gone, but still he came
and when he stopped you breathed his name"
"Oh, no! My God it just cant be."
The screams were coming out of me
"Oh, please don't tell me Hawk has died!"
Then my wife held me while I cried
I know he wasn't man, of course
But just a big ol spotted horse
So tell me, should I miss him so?
A friend who took me through the snow.
For the Songs of the Warrior
Submitted by Joyce Stennes
Last Revised 05/25/05